MUTATIONS OF THE KI-RAS ONCOGENE IN CARCINOMA OF THE ENDOMETRIUM

Mutations of the Ki-ras oncogene in endometrial carcinoma have been re ported in Japan, but the prevalence and clinical significance of such mutations in the United States remains unclear. DNA extracted from par affin sections of 112 carcinomas of the endometrium was amplified by t he polymerase chain reaction with mismatched printers that generated a BstNI recognition site with the wild-type codon 12, Loss of this reco gnition site indicating Ki-ras codon 12 mutations was observed in 13 t umors (11.6%), including 11 endometrioid carcinomas, one undifferentia ted carcinoma, and one carcinosarcoma. None of 17 papillary serous-cle ar cell carcinomas contained Ki-ras codon 12 mutations, These mutation s were confirmed and characterized by direct sequencing, We found no e vidence of correlation of the presence of Ki-ras mutations with stage, grade, depth of invasion, or clinical outcome, Our results indicate t hat Ki-ras oncogene mutations in carcinoma of the endometrium may be l ess prevalent kt the United States than in Japan.