The association of K-ras mutations and p21 expressions with malignant transformation of endometriosis

Objective To explore the association of K-ras mutations and p21 expressions with malignant transformation of endometriosis.Methods K-ras mutations in codons 12 and 13 and expressions of p21 protein were detected in 3 endometriosis-related ovarian endometrioid carcinomas and in 3 endometriosis-related ovarian clear cell carcinomas using PCR-RFLP and immunohisochemical technique.The findings were compared with those from ovarian carcinomas unrelated to endometriosis, atypical endometriosis, and ovarian endometriosis.Results Only GGT to TGT mutation at codon 12 was found in each of the 3 ovarian endometrioid carcinomas and the 3 ovarian clear cell carcinomas originating from endometriosis, resulting in a substitution of cysteine to valine;no other K-ras mutations were detectable.p21 expressions were significantly higher in the group with endometriosis-related ovarian tumours than in the other groups(P 0.05).Conclusions K-ras mutations may be associated with malignant transformation of endometriosis.Higher expressions of p21 in the endometriosis-related ovarian tumours suggests that oncogenesis may be involved in different molecular mechanisms.