Telomerase activity in giant cell tumors of bone.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is a histologically benign neoplasma that has an unpredictable pattern of biological aggressiveness. In the present study, we investigated whether there was a correlation between telomere length or the levels of telomerase activity and other clinical features of GCTs, for the possible use of these factors as parameters of aggressiveness or prognosis.

METHODS:

In 16 surgically resected GCTs specimens, telomere length was assessed by terminal restriction fragments by Southern blot analysis. Telomerase activity was measured by a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay.

RESULTS:

Telomere length reduction was observed in 69% of the GCT samples. The telomere lengths of tumors were significantly shorter than those of normal tissue (P = .008). The mean telomere length of grade 3 tumors was significantly shorter than those of grade 1 and 2 tumors (P = .038). Telomerase activity was detected in 81% of tumor samples. The level of telomerase activity in tumors with local recurrence was significantly higher than in tumors without local recurrence (P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that telomere length correlates with roentgenographic grade as a result of the frequency of cell division, and high telomerase activity indicates the aggressiveness of GCTs.

• Authors: Toshihiro Matsuo, Eiso Hiyama, Takashi Sugita, Shoji Shimose, Tadahiko Kubo, Yu Mochizuki, Nobuo Adachi, Kensaku Kojima, Patrick Sharman, Mitsuo Ochi
• Journal: Annals of surgical oncology (Ann Surg Oncol) Vol. 14 Issue 10 Pg. 2896-902 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 1068-9265 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17653593 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• TERT protein, human
• Telomerase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Blotting, Southern
• Bone Neoplasms (genetics, pathology, surgery)
• Bone and Bones (pathology, surgery)
• Extremities (surgery)
• Female
• Femoral Neoplasms (genetics, pathology, surgery)
• Giant Cell Tumor of Bone (genetics, pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (genetics, pathology, surgery)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length (genetics)
• Prognosis
• Telomerase (genetics)