Search

Wilms tumors with WT1mutations [WT1(−)] have a stromal-predominant histology with varying extents of rhabdomyogenesis. These tumors also frequently have mutations in the beta-catenin gene (CTNNB1). We have investigated the molecular events that may explain the origins of rhabdomyogenesis in WT1(−) tumors. Of 35 Wilms tumors, we identified 12 with WT1mutations, of which 9 carried CTNNB1mutations. We compared WT1 wild-type tumors [WT1(+)] with WT1(−) tumors for histological features, localization of beta-catenin, Bcl-2 expression, and apoptosis using an in-situ end-labeling technique. WT1(+) tumors showed triphasic and blastemal- and epithelial predominant-histology. Expression of WT1, beta-catenin, and Bcl-2 recapitulated those of normal kidney epithelial development. Localization of beta-catenin was observed in the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic membrane of early glomerular epithelial structures. Bcl-2 is also expressed in condensing blastema and early glomerular epithelial structures which had little apoptosis. WT1(−) tumors, regardless of whether CTNNB1mutations were detected or not, showed a stromal-rich phenotype with abundant expression of beta-catenin in the nucleus of the rhabdomyoblasts. Bcl-2 was expressed in rhabdomyoblasts, but not in blastemal cells undergoing apoptosis, suggesting that WT1 regulates Bcl-2 positively in the epithelial pathway, but negatively in the myogenic pathway. These data indicate that mutations in WT1might alter the Wnt signaling pathway and Bcl-2 related-apoptosis. In WT1(−) tumors, the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin and Bcl-2 expression are associated with rhabdomyogenesis, and dysregulation of Bcl-2 may be a mechanism by which the histogenesis (loss of blastemal component, muscle differentiation) may be explained.

The progression of a malignant tumour is understood to be the result of the accumulation of multiple genetic aberrations. As up to 14% of organ‐confined renal cell carcinomas will recur after surgery, tumour clones with metastatic potential must already be present in some of these localized tumours. The association of 14q LOH with high‐grade tumours and advanced tumour stage suggests an important role for the gene in tumour progression. Chromosome 14q LOH has been analysed in microdissected specimens from 130 organ‐confined (UICC TNM stage 1 and 2) clear cell renal cell carcinomas using three microsatellite markers (D14S588, D14S617, GATA136B01). Tumours were classified as 14q LOH or not on the basis of LOH at one or more of the markers. The allelic imbalance ratio was used to determine both LOH and LOH proportion and the association between LOH and mortality, tumour size, histological grade and growth kinetics, measured by quantification of nucleolar organizer regions, was analysed. 14q LOH was present in 35.4% of informative cases at marker D14S588, 24.4% at D14S617, 36.4% at GATA136B01 and 39.5% for any one of the three markers. The mean 14q LOH proportion was 0.24 (range 0.009–0.80). LOH proportion correlated significantly with tumour size, AgNOR score and histological grade. It was also significantly associated with disease‐specific mortality; (hazard ratio 1.22; 95% CI 1.02–1.45; p= 0.039). LOH proportion did not remain significant after adjusting for tumour size (hazard ratio 0.98; 95% CI 0.76–1.27; p= 0.90). These results indicate that the proportion of cells with 14q LOH in the tumour is associated with tumour aggressiveness; while this is not an independent predictor of survival, it may have some utility as a marker of latent metastatic potential. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

No abstract.