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Correspondence re: P. P. Claudio et al., Mutations in the Retinoblastoma-related Gene RB2/p130 in Primary Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancer Res., 60: 8–12, 2000.

Laboratory for Clinical Genetics Van Andel Research Institute 333 Bostwick NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Xiang Guo and Hua-Qing Min

Department of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cancer Center Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences Guangzhou 510060 China

In a recent issue of Cancer Research, Claudio et al. (1) reported the presence of mutations within exons of the RB2/p130 gene in NPC.¹ In their report concerning NPC, the authors found mutations in 3 of 10 (30%) primary tumors examined. Of interest was the fact that some of the samples contained multiple frameshift mutations within different exons (1) . The authors conclude that multiple hot spots may be present in this gene, which may be important for NPC carcinogenesis. We have undertaken an examination of 20 primary NPC tumors of Chinese origin and two NPC-derived cell lines (Hone 1-2 and HK-1) and subjected them to single strand conformational polymorphism analysis using the same primers and methodology as described by the authors (1) . Surprisingly, no mutations were observed using single strand conformational polymorphism for any of the NPCs examined. In light of this discovery, we examined the report by Claudio et al. (1) in more detail. A closer examination of the mutation chromatograms presented in Fig. 1 , which is published in the report, makes one doubtful of the validity of the "mutations." All of the "mutations" shown have accompanying peaks (see arrows) in one way or another, which should not be considered as "mutations" but rather as background artifacts. We have also consulted independent experts who shared our opinion. In view of the lack of support for the important findings that the authors have claimed and the fact that their results are now being quoted in high-quality papers (2) , we feel that there is an urgency to resolve this issue.

View larger version (41K): [in this window] [in a new window] [Download PPT slide]   Fig. 1.

FOOTNOTES

¹ The abbreviation used is: NPC, nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Received 1/ 2/01. Accepted 6/ 1/01.

REFERENCES

1. Claudio P. P., Howard C. M., Fu Y., Cinti C., Califano L., Micheli P., Mercer E. W., Caputi M., Giordano A. Mutations in the retinoblastoma-related gene RB2/p130 in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cancer Res., 60: 8-12, 2000.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Paggi M. G., Giordano A. Who is the boss in the retinoblastoma family? The point of view of Rb2/p130, the little brother. Cancer Res., 61: 4651-4654, 2001.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
3. Claudio P. P., Howard C. M., Pacilio C., Cinti C., Romano G., Minimo C., Maraldi N. M., Minna J. D., Gelbert L., Leoncini L., Tosi G. M., Hicheli P., Caputi M., Giordano G. G., Giordano A. Mutations in the retinoblastoma-related gene RB2/p130 in lung tumors and suppression of tumor growth in vivo by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. Cancer Res., 60: 372-382, 2000.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
4. Modi S., Kubo A., Oie H., Coxon A. B., Rehmatulla A., Kaye F. J. Protein expression of the RB-related gene family and SV40 large T antigen in mesothelioma and lung cancer. Oncogene, 19: 4632-4639, 2000.[Medline]

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				P. P. Claudio, C. Cinti, M. G. Paggi, and A. Giordano Reply Cancer Res., August 1, 2001; 61(15): 5952 - 5953. [Full Text] [PDF]

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