Введение. Спорадическая ретинобластома развивается в результате мутаций de novo в обоих аллелях гена RB1 в клетках сетчатки глаза. При спорадической ретинобластоме первоначальная мутация в гене RB1 нередко является мозаичной, то есть образуется в постзиготической ранней эмбриональной клетке, что приводит к неравномерному распределению мутантных клонов между различными тканями организма. Возможность идентифицировать мозаичный вариант мутации в гене RB1 имеет значение как для медико-генетического консультирования, так и для клинического ведения пациентов, поскольку мозаицизм влияет на развитие клинической картины заболевания, риск развития опухоли в другом глазу и других опухолей и на риск передачи мутации следующему поколению. Цель: установить частоту и спектр постзиготических мозаичных мутаций в гене RB1 в выборке больных со спорадической ретинобластомой, определить содержание мутантного аллеля в образцах с мозаицизмом. Метод. Исследование проведено на материале ДНК лимфоцитов крови больных со спорадической ретинобластомой. Скрининг точковых мутаций, малых инсерций/делеций в гене RВ1 осуществляли методом полупроводникового высокопроизводительного параллельного секвенирования (ВПС). Исключение протяженных делеций в гене RВ1 проводили методом MLPA. Для поиска мозаичных мутаций с очень низким содержанием (менее 10%) мутантного аллеля был разработан и проведен углубленный анализ данных ВПС, основанный на биоинформатических и статистических подходах. Для верификации выявленных мозаичных патогенных мутаций использовали секвенирование ДНК по Сэнгеру. Результаты. В исследованной выборке больных со спорадической унилатеральной формой ретинобластомы мозаичные мутации встречаются чаще, чем при спорадической билатеральной форме; различия статистически достоверны. В то же время, частоты мозаичных мутаций с высокой и низкой представленностью мутантных аллелей между группами больных с унилатеральной и билатеральной ретинобластомой достоверно не различаются. Все мозаичные мутации, представлены нуль-аллелями; мозаичных миссенс-мутаций в нашей выборке не обнаружено. Не выявлено мозаичных мутаций в 1-м и 2-м экзонах гена RB1, расположенных проксимальнее альтернативного промотора, импринтинг которого определяет пенетрантность мутаций в зависимости от родительского происхождения мутантного аллеля. Заключение. Применение глубокого ВПС в сочетании с усовершенствованным алгоритмом анализа результатов, направленным на выявление мозаичных мутаций, повышает эффективность ДНК-диагностики ретинобластомы, способствуя совершенствованию медико-генетического консультирования и лечения больных. Background. Sporadic retinoblastoma develops as a result of de novo mutations in both alleles of the RB1 gene. Often in sporadic retinoblastoma, the initial mutation in RB1 is mosaic, that is, it is formed in a postzygotic, early embryonic cell, which leads to an uneven distribution of mutant clones between different tissues of the body. The ability to identify a mosaic variant of a mutation in the RB1 gene is important for both medical genetic counseling and clinical management of patients, since mosaicism affects the development of the clinical picture of the disease, the risk of developing a tumor in the other eye, as well as other tumors, and the risk of mutation transmission to the next generation. Aim: to establish the frequency and spectrum of somatic mosaic mutations in the RB1 gene in patients with sporadic retinoblastoma and to quantify the content of the mutant allele in cases with mosaicism. Methods. The study was carried out on the DNA of blood lymphocytes from patients with sporadic retinoblastoma. Screening of point mutations, small insertions/deletions in the RB1 gene was performed by semiconductor high-throughput parallel sequencing (NGS). Exclusion of gross deletions in the RB1 gene was performed by MLPA. To search for mosaic mutations with a very low representation (less than 10%) of the mutant allele, an in-depth analysis of the NGS data was developed an in-house algorithm based on bioinformatic and statistical approaches. To verify mosaic pathogenic mutations identified with NGS, Sanger sequencing was used. Results. Mosaic mutations were found more common among patients with sporadic unilateral form of retinoblastoma than in those with sporadic bilateral form; the differences are statistically significant. At the same time, the frequencies of mosaic mutations with a high and low representation of mutant alleles between the groups of patients with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma did not differ significantly. All mosaic mutations are null alleles; mosaic missense mutations were not found in our patients’ cohort. No mosaic mutations were detected in the 1st and 2nd exons of the RB1 gene, located proximal to the alternative promoter, the imprinting of which determines the penetrance of mutations depending on the parental origin of the mutant allele. Conclusion. The use of deep high-throughput parallel sequencing in combination with an improved algorithm for analyzing the NGS results, aimed at identifying mosaic mutations, increases the efficiency of DNA diagnostics of retinoblastoma, contributing to the improvement of medical genetic counseling and treatment of patients.

Введение. Ретинобластома - злокачественная опухоль детского возраста, причиной которой является биаллельная инактивация гена RB1. Ранняя молекулярно-генетическая диагностика ретинобластомы необходима как для адекватного выбора алгоритма лечения пациента с такой опухолью, так и для медико-генетического консультирования семьи. Цель: охарактеризовать частоту и спектр мутаций в гене RB1 у российских больных с ретинобластомой. Методы. Исследование проведено на материале ДНК лимфоцитов крови, полученном от 492 больных с ретинобластомой. Скрининг точковых мутаций, малых инсерций/делеций в гене RВ1 осуществляли методом полупроводникового высокопроизводительного параллельного секвенирования. Исключение протяженных делеций в гене RВ1 проводили методом MLPA. Результаты. Исследовано 492 неродственных пациента с ретинобластомой, среди которых 38,2% (188/492) с билатеральной формой заболевания и 61,8% (304/492) - с унилатеральной. В группе больных с билатеральной формой ретинобластомы герминальная мутация обнаружена у 96,8% (182/188) пациентов, в группе больных с унилатеральной формой - у 16,4% (50/304). Суммарно в гене RB1 в исследованной группе пациентов обнаружено 339 мутаций: 232 - герминальных и 107 - соматических. Выявлен практически полный спектр молекулярных изменений, включающий нонсенс-мутации - 37,5% (127/339), миссенс-мутации - 5,3% (18/339), мутации, приводящие к сдвигу рамки считывания - 18,9% (64/339), мутации сайтов сплайсинга - 13,9% (47/339) и протяженные делеции - 24,5% (83/339). Выводы. Применение глубокого высокопроизводительного параллельного секвенирования и метода MLPA позволяет эффективно выявлять молекулярно-генетические изменения в гене RB1. Типы мутаций, обнаруженные в исследованной группе, их частота и распределение совпадают с результатами исследователей из других стран. Background. Retinoblastoma is a childhood malignant tumor caused by biallelic inactivation of the RB1 gene. Early molecular genetic diagnosis of retinoblastoma is necessary both for an adequate choice of an algorithm for treating a patient, and for competent medical genetic counseling of the family Objective. To establish the frequency and spectrum of mutations in the RB1 gene in the group of patients with retinoblastoma. Methods. The study was carried out on the DNA of blood lymphocytes from 492 patients with retinoblastoma. Screening of point mutations, small insertions/deletions in the RB1 gene was performed by semiconductor high-throughput parallel sequencing. Exclusion of gross deletions in the RB1 gene was performed by MLPA. Results. 492 unrelated patients with retinoblastoma were studied, including 38.2% (188/492) with bilateral form and 61.8% (304/492) with unilateral form. In the group of patients with bilateral retinoblastoma, germline mutation was found in 96.8% (182/188) patients, and in the group of unilateral patients, in 16.4% (50/304). In total, the RB1 gene in the studied group of patients 339 mutations were found, 232 germline and 107 somatic. An almost complete spectrum of molecular changes was revealed, including nonsense mutations, 37.5% (127/339); missense mutations, 5.3% (18/339); frame shift mutations, 18.9% (64 / 339); splice site mutations, 13.9% (47/339); and large deletions, 24.5% (83/339). Conclusion. The use of deep high-throughput parallel sequencing and the MLPA method allows efficient detection of molecular genetic changes in the RB1 gene. The types of mutations found in the studied group, their frequency and distribution are the same as the results of researchers in other countries.

Почти 80% случаев наследственной ретинобластомы не имеют семейного анамнеза и возникают в результате мутаций de novo в гене RB1. Методом высокопроизводительного параллельного секвенирования (ВПС) проведено молекулярно-генетическое обследование 208 неродственных больных со спорадической РБ, среди которых 145 пациентов с унилатеральной формой заболевания и 63 - с билатеральной. В группе пациентов с билатеральной РБ молекулярные изменения в гене RB1 обнаружены в 90,5% (57/63) случаев. У 4,8% (3/63) пациентов определен мозаичный вариант мутации в гене RB1. В группе пациентов с унилатеральной РБ молекулярные изменения в гене RB1 выявлены в 17,9% (26/145) случаев. Среди исследованных пациентов соматический мозаицизм выявлен в 9,0% (13/165) случаев. Применение ВПС позволяет точно определять аллельную частоту вариантов, что делает поиск соматического мозаицизма эффективным. Almost 80% of cases of hereditary retinoblastoma do not have a family history and arise as a result of de novo mutations in the RB1 gene. An NGS test was performed on 208 unrelated patients with sporadic RB, including 145 patients with a unilateral form and 63 patients with a bilateral one. In the group of patients with bilateral RB, pathogenic variants in the RB1 gene were detected in 90.5% (57/63) cases. In 4.8% (3/63) of patients, a mosaic variants were determined. In the group of patients with unilateral RB, changes in the RB1 gene were detected in 17.9% (26/145) cases. Among the examined patients, somatic mosaicism was detected in 9.0% (13/165) cases. NGS allows us to determine the allelic frequency of variants, which makes the search for somatic mosaicism effective.

Актуальность. При наследственной ретинобластоме герминальная мутация в одном из аллелей гена RB1 обусловливает предрасположенность к заболеванию и его семейную передачу. Наследственная ретинобластома манифестирует в более раннем возрасте по сравнению со спорадической формой и носит в большинстве случаев мультифокальный и билатеральный характер. Однако некоторые семьи с ретинобластомой (два и более носителя одинаковой герминальной мутации в родословной) демонстрируют более мягкий фенотип с неполной пенетрантностью (у части носителей герминальной мутации заболевание не развивается) и вариабельной экспрессивностью (одинаковая мутация у разных членов семьи может проявляться уни- или билатеральной формой заболевания). Выявление низкопенетрантных мутаций в гене RB1 и изучение характера их наследования способствует пониманию механизмов, лежащих в основе развития наследственной ретинобластомы с низкой пенетрантностью, и крайне важно как для дальнейшего расширения знаний о молекулярной генетике ретинобластомы, так и для медико-генетического консультирования и последующего клинического ведения семей с такой формой заболевания. Цель. Установить спектр генетических нарушений в гене RB1 у больных с наследственной ретинобластомой с неполной пенетрантностью и вариабельной экспрессивностью в выборке российских пациентов и определить влияние родительского происхождения мутации в RB1 на её фенотипическое проявление. Методы. Методом высокопроизводительного параллельного секвенирования проведено молекулярно-генетическое обследование 332 неродственных больных с ретинобластомой. Для верификации выявленных точковых мутаций и анализа их сегрегации в родословных использовали секвенирование по Сэнгеру. Результаты. В группе пациентов без семейного анамнеза ретинобластомы у 3,5% больных определен наследственный характер заболевания, при котором один из родителей являлся бессимптомным носителем герминальной мутации в гене RB1. Выявлено 10 низкопенетрантных мутаций в гене RB1 и установлен спектр мутаций, приводящих к развитию наследственной ретинобластомы с низкой пенетрантностью. В 91,7% случаев наследственной ретинобластомы с низкой пенетрантностью мутантный аллель получен пробандом от отца, у которого отсутствовали клинические признаки заболевания или наблюдалась более легкая форма. Выводы. Полученные результаты подтверждают ранее высказанные предположения, что низкопенетрантные герминальные мутации в гене RB1, унаследованные от отца, чаще приводят к развитию ретинобластомы, и в более тяжелой форме по сравнению с таковыми, унаследованными от матери. Background. In hereditary retinoblastoma, a germline mutation in one of the alleles of the RB1 gene causes a predisposition to the disease and its transmission within the pedigree. Hereditary retinoblastoma manifests at an earlier age compared with the sporadic form and in most cases is multifocal and bilateral. However, some families with retinoblastoma (two or more carriers of the same germline mutation in the pedigree) exhibit a milder phenotype with incomplete penetrance (some carriers of the germline mutation are asymptomatic) and variable expressivity (the same mutation in different family members may manifest as either a unilateral or bilateral form). Identification of low-penetrant mutations in the RB1 gene and studying their inheritance in pedigrees contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying the development of retinoblastoma with low penetrance. It is extremely important both for further expansion of knowledge in the field of molecular genetics of retinoblastoma, and for competent genetic counseling and subsequent clinical management of families with this form of the disease. Objective. To establish the spectrum of genetic disorders in the RB1 gene in Russian patients with hereditary retinoblastoma with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity and to determine the effect of the parental origin of the RB1 mutation on its phenotypic manifestation. Methods. Using high-performance parallel sequencing, a molecular genetic survey of 332 unrelated patients with retinoblastoma was performed. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the identified point mutations and analyze their segregation in pedigrees. Results. In the group of patients without a family history of retinoblastoma, in 3.5% the hereditary nature of the disease was determined, where one of the parents was an asymptomatic carrier of a germline mutation in the RB1 gene. Ten low-penetrant mutations in the RB1 gene were identified. In 91.7% of cases of hereditary retinoblastoma with low penetrance, the mutant allele was obtained by a proband from a father with no clinical signs of the disease or with a milder form. Conclusion. The results confirm the previously suggested assumptions that low-penetrant germline mutations in the RB1 gene inherited from the father more often lead to the development of retinoblastoma, and in a more severe form than those inherited from the mother.

Background Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common pediatric intraocular neoplasm caused by the biallelic inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene. In 40% of cases, the development of RB is mediated by a germline mutation in one of the alleles of RB1. Patients with germline mutation develop bilateral tumor with penetrance of more than 90%. However, some families demonstrate cases of RB with low penetrance (unaffected carries) and variable expressivity (carries develop either bi- or uni- RB). It is believed that the phenotypic manifestation of hereditary retinoblastoma depends on the functional type of the germinal mutation in the RB1. The molecular mechanisms underlying the variable phenotypic manifestation of the same mutation in different family members are currently explained by the parent-of-origin effect of RB1 mutation. Methods Using NGS of the RB1 we have analyzed DNA from blood of 331 unrelated patients with RB (226 patients with uni- RB and 105 with bi- RB). DNA samples of available family members were also examined for the presence of an identified mutation using Sanger sequencing. Results We identified 11 germline mutations in the RB1 that led to the RB with low penetrance and/or variable expressivity in 12 families. Among the identified mutations:, 25.0% - are missense mutations, 58.3% - are splice mutations and 16.7% - are frame shift mutations. In 91,7% of cases, probands inherited the mutant allele from their fathers, who were either clinically healthy carriers (7 families) or had the uni-/bilateral form of RB (3 families). Table: 1170P . Mutations Carrier (Proband, P) Form (uni, U; bi-lateral, B; no symptoms, -) c.1364G>C; c.1573G>A; c.1981C>T; с.607 + 1G-T (2 families); c.45_76del; с.83del P ♂ U - c.861G>C P ♀ U - c.939G>A P ♂ Grandfather Uncle U - - U c.380 + 1G-A; с.1695 + 5G-T; c.1696-2A-G P ♂ B U Conclusions The identification of mutations in the RB1 leading to the development of RB with low penetrance and variable expressivity, is necessary for adequate treatment and competent determination of the risk of developing the disease in other family members. Legal entity responsible for the study State assignment of Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Funding The state assignment of Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background: Retinoblastoma (RB) is an embryonic malignant tumor of retina caused by inactivation of both alleles of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene. Identifying low-level mosaic mutations in RB1 gene in blood samples is challenging. Mosaic mutations arise in early embryogenesis and require high-resolution techniques for detection. In approximately 10% of families, the initial RB1 mutation is mosaic. The ability to identify RB1 mosaicism is important for genetic counseling because mosaicism increases the risk for developing RB in the other eye, second cancers and transmitting the mutation to progeny. Methods: Using NGS we have evaluated the spectrum and frequency of RB1 mutations mosaicism in peripheral blood of 120 patients with sporadic RB (82 unilateral and 38 bilateral). Results: In 5,8% (7/120) of patients a low-level mosaic mutation was found. The spectrum of identified mosaic RB1 mutations, the degree of mosaicism and clinical characteristics are shown in the table. Additionally, we analyzed the Sanger sequencing data from 72 blood samples from patients with sporadic RB (48 unilateral and 24 bilateral), performed earlier in our laboratory, and have not identified mosaic cases.Table: 404PThe spectrum of identified mosaic RB1 mutationsSampleForm (uni/bi-l ateral)Age of onsetMosaic mutationDegree of mosaicism,%Mutation in relativesRB1Uni-6 moc.C1363T (14ex)C:80, T:20NegativeRB2Uni-1yr 8 moc.C1363T (14ex)C:74, T:26NegativeRB3Bi-3 weeksc.2326delC (23ex)wt:80, del:20NegativeRB4Uni-3 yrc.C958T (10ex)C:80, T:20NegativeRB5Uni-3 moc.C751T (8ex)C:84, T:16NegativeRB6Uni-1 yr 8 moc.1215 + 1G-A (12ex)G:87, A:13NegativeRB7Uni-8 moc.C1735T (18ex)C:79, T:21NegativeRB8No symptomsNoc.887delT (9ex)wt:85, del:15Positive bilateral daughter Open table in a new tab Conclusions: NGS is an efficient method for detecting low-level mosaic mutations in blood samples from RB patients. Clinically, RB1 mosaicism is variable, it can manifest as a bilateral or a unilateral form with early or late onset, or without disease, which make the diagnosis even more difficult. Legal entity responsible for the study: FASO Russia. Funding: The research was carried out within the State assignment of FASO Russia. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

In the present paper we discuss the results of the use of clinical, genetic and molecular techniques in their extensive studies of patients with retinoblastoma and literature data. It is shown, that the inclusion of a comprehensive survey of patients modern methods of molecular analysis enhances early diagnosis, early treatment and prevention of retinoblastoma. Identification of mutations RB1 is very important for the effectiveness of genetic counseling.

The article discusses results of the structural and functional analysis of molecular genetic abnormalities in various malignant tumors. Investigations have discovered more than 20 new markers for sporadic breast cancer. Several of them formed the test system, allowing the diagnosis with a specificity of 100%. Appearance of TMPRSS2/ERG4 chimeric gene is a frequent tumor-specific event, its expression is correlated with more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, may serve as a molecular marker for tumor cells and androgen assessment of tumor response to hormonal therapy. The effective systems for the early diagnosis of cervix and endometrium cancer were developed as well. Mutations in the VHL, deletions of chromosome 3 and methylation of several genes can predict the course and selection of effective therapy of clear cell kidney cancer, a number of molecular markers were identified for early diagnosis and prognosis of recurrence of bladder cancer. For diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of brain tumors we developed an effective complex system of markers. Protocol of molecular genetics investigation reveals the cause of the disease by more than 90% of patients with retinoblastoma. In order to study abnormal methylation in tumor genomes an innovative technology AFLOAT has been developed that allows to efficiently identify new markers with diagnostic value. Test systems of molecular genetic and epigenetic markers for early diagnosis and prognosis as well as for cancer therapy optimization have shown to be effective, have been approved for use in clinical practice and are being introduced into practical healthcare.

Для синовиальной саркомы (СС) характерно наличие хромосомной транслокации t(X;18)(p11;q11), в результате которой происходит слияние гена SYT с одним из генов – членов семейства SSX: SSX1, SSX2 или SSX4 – с образованием нового химерного онкогена SYT/SSX. Нами проведен анализ экспрессии химерных онкогенов SYT/SSX1 и SYT/SSX2 в образцах парафиновых блоков СС и сравнение диагностической значимости иммуногистохимического, цитогенетического и молекулярно-генетического методов выявления СС. Химерные транскрипты обнаружены в 12 из 16 случаев опухолей: семь химерных транскриптов SYT/SSX1, пять вариантов SYT/SSX2. Транслокация t(X;18)(p11;q11) выявлена методом флуоресцентной гибридизации in situ (FISH) в 13 из 16 случаев. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о том, что генетический анализ транслокаций t(X;18)(p11;q11) и соответствующих химерных генов SYT/SSX1 и SYT/SSX2 представляет собой эффективный метод диагностики СС, чувствительность которого превосходит чувствительность методов с использованием иммуногистохимических маркеров.

t(X;18)(p11;q11) translocation is the genetic aberration specific for synovial sarcomas. It results in fusion of SYT and an SSX gene leading to production of a chimeric protein SYT/SSX. The expression analysis of SYT / SSX1 and SYT / SSX2 chimeric transcripts was performed in formalin-fixed soft tissue tumor specimens, and the diagnostic significance of immunohistochemistry and FISH and RT-PCR methods was compared. Chimeric transcripts were detected in 12 of 16 synovial sarcomas: seven SYT / SSX1 and five SYT / SSX2 fusion variants; by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), translocation was found in 13 of 16 sarcoma cases. Since synovial sarcoma represents a diagnostically challenging group, genetic analysis of translocations and chimeric transcripts is an extremely useful confirmatory diagnostic tool providing higher sensitivity than immunohistochemical markers.

Retinoblastoma is an embryonic malignant tumor of the retina that is caused by structural and functional abnormalities in the RB1 tumor suppressor gene. The spectrum and frequency of RB1 gene defects were studied in 80 tumors from patients with sporadic retinoblastoma. SSCP analysis and direct sequencing identified and characterized 68 mutations in the RB1 gene. Microsatellite analysis of the RB1 region (13q14.1) revealed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of at least one intragenic marker in 70% of the tumors. The methylation status of the RB1 promoter region was evaluated by methylation-sensitive PCR. Aberrant methylation of RB1 was detected in 20% of the analyzed tumors. Together, these analyses revealed a molecular defect of at least one RB1 allele in 95% of the tumors. To further investigate the role of methylation–demethylation and its association with retinoblastoma, we studied the methylation status of promoter regions from a number of tumor-related genes and genes functioning as upstream regulators of pRB activity, using multiplex methylation-sensitive PCR. The methylation profiles of eleven cancer-related genes were compared for unilateral and bilateral sporadic retinoblastomas and for tumors differing in the mechanism of RB1 inactivation. High methylation frequencies were observed for CDH1/E-cadherin (60%), HIC1 (47%), p16/CDKN2A (17%), and p14/ARF (22%). We also detected a loss of IGF2 gene imprinting in 25% of the retinoblastomas. Relatively low levels of methylation were detected for RB1CC1 (3%), CALCA (3%), MGMT (2%), and ESR1 (7%). Absence of aberrant methylation was found for the TUSC3/N33 and p15/CDKN2B promoter regions. The frequencies of methylation of the studied genes did not differ significantly between the clinical groups of tumors and between the groups of tumors with structural, functional, and combined patterns of RB1 inactivation. The full characterization of such profiles requires further analysis of cancer-related genes in retinoblastoma.

This paper presents the results of an analysis the chimeric genes FUS/CHOP and EWS/CHOP in patients diagnosed as having liposarcoma in order to make a differential diagnosis in both soft tissue tumors and various variants of liposarcoma. Liposarcomas were found in 5 of 7 cases of primary tumors: 4 chimeric transcripts of the FUS/CHOP type (5-2), a variant of alternative splicing of the FUS/CHOP type (5-2) with depletion in 14 p.n. anda rare variant of the EWS/CHOP type (7-2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed translocations in the tumor samples with the chimeric genes being detected. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and FISH revealed no chimeric genes specific to myxoid sarcoma in a group of patients with other variants of liposarcoma. Thus, the findings support the strict specificity of the chimeric genes FUS/CHOP and EWS/CHOP for myxoid liposarcoma and the expression of these genes in most tumors of this type.

Molecular genetic analysis of allelic deletions from the loci containing the tumor suppressor genes p16, p15, p19 (9p21), RB1 (13p14), PTEN (10q23), and TP53 (17p13); microsatellite instability; and activating mutations of K-RAS (codons 12 and 13) was performed in four different segments of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in 11 patients. Intratumoral genetic heterogenity was detected in 9 out of 11 (81%) colorectal adenocarcinomas and was morphologically validated. Analysis of different segments of one tumor reported that not only intratumoral heterogeneity, but also the order of the appearance and distribution of molecular anomalies during tumorigenesis in sporadic CRC. K-RAS point mutations and anomalies of the p16-RB1-cyclin D pathway were assumed to occur prior to microsatellite instability and PTEN deletions during tumor progression.

The results of an investigation of the RB 1, p16 and p53 genes in sporadic breast cancer through molecular and immunohistochemical studies are presented.

An optimized methylation-sensitive restriction fingerprinting technique was used to search for differentially methylated CpG islands in the tumor genome and detected seven genes subject to abnormal epigenetic regulation in breast cancer: SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4, and PSMF1. For each gene, the rate of promoter methylation and changes in expression were estimated in tumor and morphologically intact paired specimens of breast tissue (N = 100). Significant methylation rates of 38, 18, and 8% were found for SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3, respectively. The genes were not methylated in morphologically intact breast tissue. The expression of SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4, and PSMF1 was decreased in 44–94% of tumor specimens by the real-time RT-PCR assay. The most profound changes in SEMA6B and LAMC3 suggest that these genes can be included in biomarker panels for breast cancer diagnosis. Fine methylation mapping of the most frequently methylated CpG islands (SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3) provides a fundamental basis for developing efficient methylation tests for these genes.

We have developed a modification of methylation sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR, one of the methods of differentially methylated CpG islands in cancer cells genomes screening. Seven genes undergoing abnormal epigenetic regulation in breast cancer, SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4 and PSMF1, have been identified by this method. Methylation and loss of expression frequencies were evaluated for each of the identified genes on 100 paired (cancer/morphologically intact control) breast tissue samples. Significant frequencies of abnormal methylation were detected for SEMA6B, BIN1, and LAMC3 (38%, 18%, and 8% correspondingly). Methylation of the above genes was not characteristic for morphologically intact breast tissues. Downregulation of SEMA6B, BIN1, VCPIP1, LAMC3, KCNH2, CACNG4 and PSMF1 in breast cancer was as frequent as 44-94% by real-time PCR expression assay. The most pronounced functional alterations were demonstrated for SEMA6B and LAMC3 genes, which allows recommending their inclusion into the panels of carcinogenesis diagnostic panels. Fine methylation mapping was performed for the genes most frequently methylated in breast cancer (SEMA6B, BIN1, LAMC3), providing a fundamental basis for the development of effective methylation tests for these genes.

The review considers the epigenetic defects and their diagnostics in several hereditary disorders and tumors. Aberrant methylation of the promoter or regulatory region of a gene results in its functional inactivation, which is phenotypically similar to structural deletion. Screening tests were developed for Prader-Willi, Angelman, Wiedemann-Beckwith, and Martin-Bell syndromes and mental retardation FRAXE. The tests are based on allele methylation analysis by methylation-specific or methylation-sensitive PCR. Carcinogenesis-associated genes (RB1, CDKN2A, ARF14, HIC1, CDI, etc.) are often methylated in tumors. Tumors differ in methylation frequencies, allowing differential diagnostics. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes occurs in early carcinogenesis, and its detection may be employed in presymptomatic diagnostics of tumors.

The review considers the epigenetic defects and their diagnostics in several hereditary disorders and tumors. Aberrant methylation of the promoter or regulatory region of a gene results in its functional inactivation, which is phenotypically similar to structural deletion. Screening tests were developed for Prader–Willi, Angelman, Wiedemann–Beckwith, and Martin–Bell syndromes and mental retardation FRAXE. The tests are based on allele methylation analysis by methylation-specific or methylation-sensitive PCR. Carcinogenesis-associated genes (RB1, CDKN2A, ARF14, HIC1, CDH1, etc.) are often methylated in tumors. Tumors differ in methylation frequencies, allowing differential diagnostics. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes occurs in early carcinogenesis, and its detection may be employed in presymptomatic diagnostics of tumors.