Asynchronous replication of AURKA and TP53 genes in patients with gastrointestinal tumors at the distant period after treatment

Introduction. Malignant neoplasms of the transverse colon, stomach and rectum are some of the most common oncological diseases. In Russia, their incidence is about 60,000 cases a year. Therefore, prediction of tumor recurrence or progression after treatment using biological markers is very important.

Aim. To study percentage of lymphocytes with asynchronous DNA replication (LAR) of the AURKA and TP53 genes in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract after treatment.

Materials and methods. Asynchronicity of the AURKA and TP53 genes in peripheral lymphocytes was measured using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). In patients with malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, interphase FISH analysis was performed prior to treatment and during the 5-year period after treatment.

Results. One year after treatment, percentage of LAR of both AURKA (34.4 % versus 28.8 %) and TP53 (26.1 % versus 21.0 %) genes significantly decreased compared to the values prior to treatment (p < 0.05). In patients without disease progression, mean group amount of LAR of both genes did not change in the 1–5-year period. In patients with disease progression, mean group values of LAR percentage of both genes were significantly higher than in the group without progression post-treatment (р < 0.01). In some patients, disease progression was diagnosed 1–13 months after LAR study. In the group before progression, LAR of AURKA and TP53 genes were also higher and differed from the value in the progression-free group (33.8 % versus 30.4 % and 25.3 % versus 21.7 %, respectively) (р < 0.05).

Conclusion. Analysis of LAR dynamics of the AURKA and TP53 genes in the long-term period after treatment showed that persistent high LAR levels of both genes can serve as a potential individual markers of disease progression.