Detection Of APC Gene Mutations In Colorectal Neoplasms With PCR-SSCP Analysis

Objective To investigate APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene mutations in sporadic colorectal neoplasms and their relation to clinicopathological features. Methods Mutations were screened with polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation Polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) technique improved by us .The mutation cluster region (MCR) of the APC gene was analysed in 66 cases of sporadic colorectal carcinomas, 17 cases of adenomas and 4 cases of FAPs. Results Mutations in MCR of APC gene were found in 21.2%(14/66)sporadic colorectal carcinomas and 23.5%(4/ 17 )adenomas. The difference in mutation frequency between the two groups was not statistically significant(P>O.05). There was no relationship between the mutation frequency and the clinicopathological features. Conclusion The APC gene mutation is an early event in colorectal tumorigenesis.