The oncogenetic events that transform chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are not well characterized. We investigated the role of several genes implicated in leukemic transformation by mutational analysis of 63 patients with AML secondary to a preexisting MPN (sAML). Frequent mutations were identified in TET2 (26.3%), ASXL1 (19.3%), IDH1 (9.5%), and JAK2 (36.8%) mutations in sAML, and all possible mutational combinations of these genes were also observed. Analysis of 14 patients for which paired samples from MPN and sAML were available showed that TET2 mutations were frequently acquired at leukemic transformation [6 of 14 (43%)]. In contrast, ASXL1 mutations were almost always detected in both the MPN and AML clones from individual patients. One case was also observed where TET2 and ASXL1 mutations were found before the patient acquired a JAK2 mutation or developed clinical evidence of MPN. We conclude that mutations in TET2, ASXL1, and IDH1 are common in sAML derived from a preexisting MPN. Although TET2/ASXL1 mutations may precede acquisition of JAK2 mutations by the MPN clone, mutations in TET2, but not ASXL1, are commonly acquired at the time of leukemic transformation. Our findings argue that the mutational order of events in MPN and sAML varies in different patients, and that TET2 and ASXL1 mutations have distinct roles in MPN pathogenesis and leukemic transformation. Given the presence of sAML that have no preexisting JAK2/TET2/ASXL1/IDH1 mutations, our work indicates the existence of other mutations yet to be identified that are necessary for leukemic transformation. Cancer Res; 70(2); 447-52. ©2010 AACR.

Cancers of the colon are most common in the Western world. In majority of these cases, there is no familial history and sporadic gene damage seems to play an important role in the development of tumors in the colon. Studies have shown that environmental factors, especially diet, play an important role in susceptibility to GI tract cancers. Consequently, environmental chemicals that contaminate food or diet during its preparation becomes important in the development of GI cancers. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one such family of ubiquitous environmental toxicants. These pollutants enter the human body through consumption of contaminated food, drinking water, inhalation of cigarette smoke, automobile exhausts, and contaminated air from occupational settings. Among these pathways, dietary intake of PAHs constitutes a major source of exposure in humans. Although many reviews and books on PAHs and their ability to cause toxicity and breast or lung cancer have been published, aspects on contribution of diet, smoking and other factors towards development of digestive tract cancers and strategies to assess risk from exposure to PAHs have received much less attention. This review, therefore, focuses on dietary intake of PAHs in humans, animal models, and cell cultures used for GI cancer studies along with epidemiological findings. Bioavailability and biotransformation processes, which influence the disposition of PAHs in body and the underlying causative mechanisms of GI cancers, are also discussed. The existing data gaps and scope for future studies is also emphasized. This information is expected to stimulate research on mechanisms of sporadic GI cancers caused by exposure to environmental carcinogens.

Introduction Bioaccessibility is a growing area of research in the field of risk assessment. As polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, they are the toxicants of focus to establish cancer risks in humans. Orally ingested PAHs also cause toxicity and even affect the pharmacokinetic behavior of some therapeutic agents. Toward this end, bioaccessibility is being used as a tool to assess the risk of PAHs via dietary exposures. Areas covered This review covers some in vitro bioaccessibility models for PAHs that have been used for the past one-and-a-half decade. This review also considers the factors that influence bioaccessibility and debates the merits and limitations of using a bioaccessibility concept for estimating risk from ingestion of PAH-contaminated soil and food. Finally, the authors discuss the implications of bioaccessibility for PAH-induced toxicity and cancers in the context of risk assessment. Expert opinion So far, much of the focus on PAH bioaccessibility is centered on soil as a preferential matrix. However, ingestion of PAHs through diet far exceeds the amount accidentally ingested through soil. Therefore, bioaccessibility could be exploited as a tool to assess the relative risk of various dietary ingredients tainted with PAHs. While bioaccessibility is a promising approach for assessing PAH risk arising from various types of contaminated soils, none of the models proposed appears to be valid. Bioaccessibility values, derived from in vitro studies, still require validation from in vivo studies.

The present study was conducted to investigate whether colon tumors were capable of metabolizing benzo (a)pyrene (BaP), and fluoranthene (FLA), two toxicants that belong to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family of compounds. Microsomes were isolated from the colon tumors of ApcMin mice that received subchronic doses of 50 μg/kg BaP and incubated with either BaP or FLA (3 μM each) alone or in combination and appropriate control groups that received nothing. Subsequent to incubation, samples were extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed for BaP and FLA metabolites by reverse-phase HPLC equipped with fluorescence detection. Microsomes from tumor tissues were found to metabolize BaP to a greater extent than those from the non-tumor tissues. The rate of BaP metabolism (picomoles of metabolite per minute per milligram of protein) was found to be more when microsomes from BaP-pretreated mice were exposed to BaP alone and FLA in combination with BaP, compared to controls. The microsomes from BaP-preexposed mice generated greater proportion of BaP 7,8-diol and BaP 3,6- and 6,12-diones compared to other experimental groups. Additionally, microsomes from BaP-pretreated mice produced greater proportion of FLA 2, 3-diol and 2, 3 D FLA when microsomes were incubated with FLA alone or a combination of BaP and FLA. Our studies revealed that the tumor microsomes were competent to metabolize BaP and FLA either singly or in combination. The biotransformation of BaP and FLA as a consequence of prior and simultaneous exposure to BaP may influence the growth of tumors. Our findings may have relevance to human long-term dietary intake of these toxicants and the consequent acceleration of the colon carcinogenesis process.

No abstract