Activation of RAS Genes by Specific Point Mutations in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder in Kashmiri Population

Abstract

Urinary bladder cancer is a common malignancy in the west and ranks 7th most cancer in this region. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of specific RAS gene point mutations among a group of Kashmiri patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. We also explored the correlation of clinic-pathological status of the illness with these mutations.
The paired tumor and adjacent normal tissue specimens of 65 consecutive patients were examined in Kashmiri population,India. The DNA preparations were evaluated for the occurrence of RAS gene mutations by PCR-SCCP and DNA sequencing.
Overall somatic point mutations of all the forms of RAS genes aggregated to 21.5% . In total there were nine mutations in HRAS (three in codon 12, six in codon 61), five in NRAS (two in codon 12 and three in codon 61) and no mutation was found in KRAS gene. Overall RAS genes showed no association with any clinic-pathological parameters but when stratified alone the pattern ofHRAS mutation in this study showed a significant association with smoking in bladder tumors (p <0.05).
Activation of RAS gene mutation plays a less frequent role than other genetic events in the development of the most transitional cell tumors of the bladder but contribute equally well to the development of both major tumor groups. JMS 2012;15(1):15-21