RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Microsatellite Analysis of Plasma DNA from Patients with Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma JF Cancer Research JO Cancer Res FD American Association for Cancer Research SP 4728 OP 4732 VO 58 IS 20 A1 Goessl, Carsten A1 Heicappell, Rüdiger A1 Münker, Ralf A1 Anker, Philippe A1 Stroun, Maurice A1 Krause, Hans A1 Müller, Markus A1 Miller, Kurt YR 1998 UL http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/58/20/4728.abstract AB Deletions of DNA sequences on chromosome 3p [loss of heterozygosity (LOH)] are characteristic of clear cell renal carcinoma, which accounts for about 80% of all renal malignancies. Comparing tumor DNA to DNA from normal cells, LOH analysis of microsatellite sequences has aided in molecular diagnosis of renal carcinoma. Because clinically useful tumor markers do not exist for this cancer entity, the aim of the present study was to detect chromosome 3p microsatellite alterations (LOH and microsatellite instability) in plasma DNA from patients with clear cell renal carcinoma. Four chromosome 3p microsatellites (D3S1307, D3S1560, D3S1289, and D3S1300) were amplified by fluorescent PCR using DNA isolated from normal blood cells and plasma of 40 patients. Corresponding tumor DNA was available from 21 patients. Analyzing PCR products on an automated DNA sequencer, we found LOH in at least one locus in 25 plasma samples (63%), and 14 plasma samples (35%) exhibited LOH at more than one locus. Microsatellite instability of plasma DNA was detectable in one patient (3%). No significant association of advanced (>T2N0M0) tumor stages with LOH in plasma DNA could be demonstrated. If present, modifications of plasma DNA and tumor DNA were identical. No alterations of plasma DNA were found in healthy controls. Analysis of plasma DNA from patients with clear cell renal carcinoma reveals tumor-specific microsatellite alterations and may therefore have diagnostic potential as a molecular tumor marker. ©1998 American Association for Cancer Research.