Resumen

ROA S, Juan Carlos et al. Frequency of K-ras mutation in biliary and pancreatic tumors. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2005, vol.133, n.12, pp. 1434-1440. ISSN 0034-9887.  doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872005001200004.

Background: The ras gene family (H-ras, N-ras and K-ras) are oncogenes that mutate frequently in human cancer, specially in tumors of the biliary tract and pancreas. Aim: To determine the frequency of K-ras gene codon 12 mutation in pancreatic and biliary tumors. Material and Methods: Samples of 35 gallbladder, 15 ampulla of Vater, 10 biliary tract and 9 pancreatic tumors, were analyzed. The tumor tissue was microdissected from paraffin embedded biopsies. The mutation was detected by a combination of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: Overall, 46% of samples had K-ras gene mutations. Mutation frequency was 80, 56, 50 and 29% for ampulla of Vater, pancreatic, biliary tract and gallbladder tumors, respectively. When compared with the rest, gallbladder tumors had a significantly lower frequency of the mutation. Median survival for biliary tract tumors was 6 months, compared with 65 months for gallbladder tumors (p <0.05). Conclusions: Gallbladder carcinoma had the lower frequency of K-ras mutation, when compared with pancreatic, biliary tract and ampulla of Vater tumors (Rev Méd Chile 2005; 133: 1434-40)

Palabras clave : Biliary tract neoplasms; Gallbladder neoplasms; Genes; ras; Pancreatic neoplasms.