Connective Tissue Oncology Society

2001 CTOS Annual Meeting—Oral Presentations

EXPRESSION PROFILING OF OSTEOSARCOMA BIOPSIES AND METASTASES WITH CDNA MICROARRAYS
Luca Sangiorgi¹, Giuliana Alessandra Gobbi¹, Enrico Lucarelli¹, Francesca Scrimieri¹, Piero Picci¹, Paul Meltzer¹
¹Lab. Oncology Research, Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute,, ²Section of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health

OBJECTIVE: Expression profiling with cDNA microarrays offers the possibility to determine global patterns of gene expression tumor specimens which can be used for diagnostic classification, the identification of subsets as well as the elucidation of oncogenic pathways and novel therapeutic targets.

METHODS: We have explored the potential of applying this technology to osteogenic sarcoma. 14 primary osteosarcomas and 8 osteosarcoma pulmonary metastases were analyzed by hybridiation to cDNA microarrays. For comparason, five Ewing's sarcoma specimens, and normal lung tissue were also analyzed.

RESULTS: We determined that high quality results could be obtained from osteosarcoma specimens despite the presence of extracellular matrix material in these specimens. A distinct pattern of gene expression for osteosarcoma was readily identified. This osteosarcoma specific gene expression signature was detecible in pulmonary metastases. Additionally, lists of genes which discriminate osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma were developed. Inspection of these gene lists identify a number of signal transduction and cell cycle genes utilized differentially by these two cancers.

CONCLUSION: Several genes expressed by osteosarcoma have potential for development as targets for immunohistochemical detection for diagnostic purposes.