LOW-FREQUENCY MUTATION OF HA-RAS AND KI-RAS ONCOGENES IN TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER

Background patients and methods: The objective was to study the freque ncy of mutations of Ha-ms and Ki-ras oncogenes in bladder tumours. Tra nsitional cell tumours of the bladder from 55 patients were subjected to analyses of Ha-ras and Ki-ras oncogenes using a variety of techniqu es including sequencing to detect mutations. Results: Two tumours (4%) exhibited mutation of the Ki-ras oncogene, both tumours were fast gro wing and invasive. We did not detect Ha-ras mutation in any of the sam ples. Nineteen tumours (35%) with established invasion of the detrusor muscle, did not reveal any mutation. Conclusion: Analyses of ms oncog enes seem to be of limited value for the biological assessment of tran sitional cell carcinomas.