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Telomerase Activity in Gastric Adenocarcinomas: Frozen Tissues Versus Methacarn-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissues
- Source :
- Cancer research and treatment. 35(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes TTAGGG telomeric DNA onto chromosome ends to compensate for sequence loss during DNA replication. It has been detected in 8590% of all primary human cancers, implicating that its apparent reactivation in tumors may play a role in the tumorigenic process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate telomerase activity in stomach cancer, and to determine whether methacarn-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues can replace frozen tissue sections for the telomerase (TRAP) assay. Materials and Methods: Frozen and corresponding methacarn- fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples were obtained from 51 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and analyzed for telomerase activity by using a TRAPeze ELISA kit. Results: Telomerase activity was detected in 37 (73%) frozen samples, and in 13 (25%) methacarn-fixed paraffin blocks. Telomerase activity was well correlated with depth of invasion (p=.037) and tumor differentiation (p=.022). Conclusion: These data suggest that reactivated telomerase may play a significant role in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer and may reflect the malignant potential of the tumor. It is noteworthy that methacarn- fixed tissue cannot as yet substitute for the frozen tissue in the TRAP assay.
Details
- ISSN :
- 15982998
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Cancer research and treatment
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a2042128450a90605af31fca8f0b2d62