Ras gene activation in malignant cells of human ovarian carcinoma peritoneal fluids.

In this study, we showed, for the first time, the pattern of point mutations at codon 12 of the K-ras, H-ras and N-ras genes, using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 47 malignant cytologic specimens of ovarian adenocarcinoma peritoneal fluids. Forty-seven % of the samples were found to carry a point mutation at codon 12 of K-ras gene. Also, 21 cystadenoma peritoneal fluids were used as control specimens for the detection of ras mutations. Fourteen % of these samples were found to carry a point mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene. The prevalence of K-ras gene mutations were statistically correlated with FIGO and surgical stage of the malignant specimens. Our data demonstrates that the K-ras gene mutations are mainly affected (47%) in the malignant cells of the peritoneal washings or ascites of women with ovarian adenocarcinomas and may have value for the early diagnosis and monitoring of these neoplasms.