Absence of H- and K-ras oncogene mutations in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) occurs sporadically (sMTC) or as part of the inherited cancer syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2). While the occurence of the MEN 2 syndrome is associated with mutations in the RET protooncogene, the reason for carcinogenesis in sMTC still remains unclear. Ras is a frequently mutated oncogene in a broad spectrum of human tumors an d has been found in about 50% of follicular, papillary or anaplastic thyroi d carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to determine, whether mutations in the ras oncogene could play a possible role in the carcinogenesis of sM TC. In this study we analyzed 15 sMTC for mutations in the hotspots codon 12, 1 3 and 61 of the H- and K-ras oncogene. We used the direct sequencing techni que. In none of the examined tumors we were able to detect a mutation in th e codon 12, 13 and 61 of the H-ras and K-ras oncogene. Based upon these results, we conclude that H- and K-ras do not play an impo rtant role in the carcinogenesis of sMTC.