Comparative Study of Harvey-<i>RAS</i> Oncogene Expression with Conventional Clinicopathologic Parameters of Breast Cancer

Abstract

We have previously examined the expression of the Harvey-ras (Ha-ras) oncogene related transcripts in human malignant breast tumors and in their respective normal tissue [Spandidos and Agnantis, Anticancer Res. 4: 269–272, 1984]. Our results revealed a significant elevation of Ha-ras transcripts in malignant compared to normal tissue. In the present follow-up study we have examined the relationship of Ha-ras oncogene expression to the various clinicopathological parameters of these tumors. Although elevated expression was observed in all breast tumors as compared to their respective normal breast tissue there was no correlation with the tumor stage as defined by the TNM system. However, several correlations between Ha-ras oncogene expression and histologic parameters were found and comparisons of the mean value of Ha-ras oncogene expression with the parameters examined showed the following: the stellate tumor margin and the larger tumor size had the lowest mean value; the infiltrating duct histologic type had the highest mean value; the mean value was lower in the presence of lymphocytic infiltration in the tumor; a higher mean value was obtained in cases with lymph node metastases.

The H-ras oncogene product p21 and prognosis in human breast cancer

“…Similarly, no trend between p21 levels and tumour size was detected. This is in agreement with Agnantis et al [30], who also found no correlation between H-ras mRNA transcripts and T stage. In contrast, others have reported that advancement of T stage correlates significantly with an increase in p21 levels [18,28].…”

Gene Amplification and Expression of the <i>neu </i>(c-erbB-2) Sequence in Human Mammary Carcinoma

“…The evidence that changes in the structure and expression of par ticular transforming cellular gene sequences, referred to as oncogenes, contribute to the genesis of tumors is often based on the observation that these genes are rearranged or amplified. Preliminary investigations on a molecular level showed alterations of several known oncogenes in human breast cancer: a new FxoRI re striction fragment was observed for c-mos [1], c-myc was found to be amplified and overexpressed [2], a significant elevation of Ha-ras transcripts was cor related to some clinicopathological parameters [3], and loss of Ha-ras alleles in aggressive breast tumors was reported [4], Most recently, relapse and survival in correlation to erbA, erbB-1 and erbB-2 status were analyzed in mammary carcinoma [5][6][7]. Whereas the protein coded by v-erbA is related to the tyrosine receptor [8], v-erbB codes for a protein similar to the cytoplasmic portion of the epidermal growth factor receptor (F.GFR).…”

Gene products which play a role in cancer invasion and metastasis

“…Agnantis etal. [49] found a significant elevation of Ha-ras transcripts in malignant compared to normal breast tissue, with a higher mean value of expression in cases with lymph node metastases. Hand et al [51] immunologically assayed the Ha-ras P21 protein in samples of human breast carcinoma and colon carcinoma.…”