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Genetic alterations in human pancreatic cancer

  • Basic Knowledge of Interest
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Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery

Abstract

Pancreatic cancers, like many other solid tumors in humans, develop and progress toward malignancy through accumulation of multiple genetic alterations. Previous studies demonstrated that point mutations of the c-K-ras gene and inactivation of thep53 gene were frequent events in human pancreatic cancers. The high incidence of mutation at codon 12 of the c-K-ras gene, which is detectable even in early stages of pancreatic tumors by means of the polymerase chain reaction, could make this codon an appropriate target for sensitive diagnosis. We now have evidence that inactivation ofMTS1 (p16), DPC4, andBRCA2 tumor suppressor genes, as well as amplification of theAKT2 gene, is also involved in human pancreatic cancers. Moreover, pancreatic cancers develop in some cancer-prone individuals who carry germline mutations of thep53, MTS1 (p16), orBRCA2 genes. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanism of each step of pancreatic carcinogenesis is essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of human pancreatic cancers.

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  1. Oncogene Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, 104, Tokyo, Japan

    Yoshinori Murakami

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Murakami, Y. Genetic alterations in human pancreatic cancer. J Hep Bil Pancr Surg 4, 283–290 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489026

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