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Implication of the BRCA2 and Putative “BRCA3” Genes in Dukes’ Stage C, Replication Error–Negative Colon Cancer

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Abstract

Background

Although BRCA genes have been implicated in certain tumors, particularly breast tumors, their role in colon tumorigenesis has not been fully explored. We aimed to investigate the association of the BRCA2 and putative “BRCA3” genes in a homogeneous series of right-sided colon cancer specimens.

Methods

Twenty-three Dukes’ stage C, replication error–negative carcinomas were selected from patients with right-sided colon cancer. After histological examination and microdissection, DNA was extracted from normal colon and carcinoma from each patient. Five microsatellite markers spanning the region of BRCA2 and BRCA3 on chromosome 13 (D13S218, D13S219, D13S165, D13S156, and D13S160) and two markers intragenic to BRCA2 and BRCA3 (D13S171 and D13S1308, respectively) were used. Polymerase chain reaction products were analyzed by using a fluorescent allele imbalance assay.

Results

Markers demonstrating the highest allelic imbalance were D13S1308 (53%), D13S171 (33%), and D13S160 (37%).

Conclusions

The intragenic markers D13S1308 (BRCA3) and D13S171 (BRCA2) on chromosome 13 demonstrated a high frequency of allelic imbalance in primary colon carcinoma. This suggests an involvement of BRCA2 and putative BRCA3 in colon tumorigenesis in right-sided, replication error–negative, Dukes’ stage C cancers. Further studies are needed to confirm the precise role of these genes, and any prognostic significance, in colon cancer.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by a pump-priming grant from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. N.S.S. was a recipient of The Henry Chatterton Cancer Research Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Medical Institute of the University of Hull in Association with the Hull-York Medical School, University of Hull, R&D Building, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull, HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom

    Nala S. Sivarajasingham MD, Lynn Cawkwell PhD, Richard P. Baker MD, Sara L. O’Kane BSc, Edward F. Smyth MD, Jonathan V. T. Tilsed MD, Mark B. Watson PhD, John Greenman PhD & John R. T. Monson MD

Authors
  1. Nala S. Sivarajasingham MD
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  2. Lynn Cawkwell PhD
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  3. Richard P. Baker MD
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  4. Sara L. O’Kane BSc
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  5. Edward F. Smyth MD
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  6. Jonathan V. T. Tilsed MD
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  7. Mark B. Watson PhD
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  8. John Greenman PhD
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  9. John R. T. Monson MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lynn Cawkwell PhD.

Additional information

This article was previously published in abstract form (Sivarajasingham NS, Cawkwell L, Tilsed JV, Greenman J, Monson JRT. Implication of BRCA genes in colon tumorigenesis. Ann Surg Oncol 2004;11:S114).

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Sivarajasingham, N.S., Cawkwell, L., Baker, R.P. et al. Implication of the BRCA2 and Putative “BRCA3” Genes in Dukes’ Stage C, Replication Error–Negative Colon Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 13, 881–886 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.05.021

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.05.021

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