PURPOSE: The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene is known to be frequently mutated in noninvasive urothelial carcinomas of the bladder. In this study, we investigated the expression of FGFR3, Ki-67, and p53 in bladder cancers and the effects of expression on tumor recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five cases of primary bladder cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship of these markers with various clinicopathological factors, including recurrence, was assessed. RESULTS: Positivity for cytoplasmic FGFR3 (FGFR3-c) was associated with a lower cancer grade (p=0.022) and stage (p=0.011). Recurrence was more frequent in patients with a higher stage, negative FGFR3-c, and high Ki-67 expression. According to univariate analysis, predictors of recurrence-free survival included the following: age, stage, FGFR-c, Ki-67, and p53. However, none of these was independent from the other parameters in multivariate studies. CONCLUSIONS: The immunohistochemical expression of FGFR3 is not only one of the characteristic features of lower-grade and lower-stage urothelial carcinoma but also a possible marker in predicting disease recurrence.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Cytoplasm ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; Fibroblasts ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; Recurrence ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

The C749G(Pro250Arg) mutation in the gene for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) has been found in patients with various types of craniosynostosis. In this study, the blood of 9 Korean children with non-syndromic craniosynostosis were collected and mutation analyses were performed to screen whether this Pro250Arg mutation is also prevalent in Korean population. The genomic DNA samples were analysed by PCR amplification to amplify exon 7 and flanking intron sequence of FGFR3 (341 bp). Restriction digests were analysed by gel electrophoresis. There were no heterozygous for Pro250Arg mutation. No mutations in restriction enzyme digestion were confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. In this study, only 9 patients with simple craniosynostosis were subjected to mutation detection. Therefore, it is necessary to study a large number of patients in order to understand the proportion of non-syndromic craniosynostosis attributalbe to FGFR3 mutation. The epidemiologic study of this disease should be also combined in addition.
Child ; Craniosynostoses* ; Digestion ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Exons ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Introns ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3* ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

The C749G(Pro250Arg) mutation in the gene for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) has been found in patients with various types of craniosynostosis. In this study, the blood of 9 Korean children with non-syndromic craniosynostosis were collected and mutation analyses were performed to screen whether this Pro250Arg mutation is also prevalent in Korean population. The genomic DNA samples were analysed by PCR amplification to amplify exon 7 and flanking intron sequence of FGFR3 (341 bp). Restriction digests were analysed by gel electrophoresis. There were no heterozygous for Pro250Arg mutation. No mutations in restriction enzyme digestion were confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. In this study, only 9 patients with simple craniosynostosis were subjected to mutation detection. Therefore, it is necessary to study a large number of patients in order to understand the proportion of non-syndromic craniosynostosis attributalbe to FGFR3 mutation. The epidemiologic study of this disease should be also combined in addition.
Child ; Craniosynostoses* ; Digestion ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Exons ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Introns ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3* ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism. The achondroplasia class consists of achondroplasia, thanatophoric dysplasia and hypochondroplasia. Clinical symptoms are variable, but the common gene, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), could account for these variable conditions. We tried to isolate the molecular defects in Korean patients with achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia. METHODS: The sites frequently mutated (G380R and N540K) of the FGFR3 gene of seventeen Korean patients with skeletal dysplasia (16 cases of achondroplasia and one of hypochondroplasia) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and confirmed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Missense mutations, which cause G380R of the FGFR3, were present in 15/16 (93.7%) achondroplasia patients. Among these, G to A transition was found in 14 of the 15 (93.3%) patients, and a G to C transversion in a single (6.6%) patient. One case did not show any mutation of the FGFR3 gene reported in achondroplasia, including G375C. A patient with suspected hypochondroplasia exhibited the common C to G transversion mutation, resulting in N540K. CONCLUSIONS: The mutations at codons 380 and 540 of the FGFR3 gene were also found to be common causative mutations of achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia, respectively, in Koreans. These mutations could be used as the target of molecular diagnosis. Based on this simple molecular study, genetic counseling for skeletal dysplasia and prenatal diagnosis will be possible.
Achondroplasia* ; Codon ; Diagnosis ; Dwarfism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3* ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor* ; Thanatophoric Dysplasia

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical features and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene mutations of children with achondroplasia (ACH) through an analysis of 17 cases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data and FGFR3 gene detection results of 17 children with ACH who were diagnosed from January 2009 to October 2021. RESULTS: Of the 17 children with ACH, common clinical manifestations included disproportionate short stature (100%, 17/17), macrocephaly (100%, 17/17), trident hand (82%, 14/17), and genu varum (88%, 15/17). The common imaging findings were rhizomelic shortening of the long bones (100%, 17/17) and narrowing of the lumbar intervertebral space (88%, 15/17). Major complications included skeletal dysplasia (100%, 17/17), middle ear dysfunction (82%, 14/17), motor/language developmental delay (88%, 15/17), chronic pain (59%, 10/17), sleep apnea (53%, 9/17), obesity (41%, 7/17), foramen magnum stenosis (35%, 6/17), and hydrocephalus (24%, 4/17). All 17 children (100%) had FGFR3 mutations, among whom 13 had c.1138G>A hotspot mutations of the FGFR3 gene, 2 had c.1138G>C mutations of the FGFR3 gene, and 2 had unreported mutations, with c.1252C>T mutations of the FGFR3 gene in one child and c.445+2_445+5delTAGG mutations of the FGFR3 gene in the other child. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies the unreported mutation sites of the FGFR3 gene, which extends the gene mutation spectrum of ACH. ACH is a progressive disease requiring lifelong management through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Achondroplasia/genetics* ; Child ; Humans ; Mutation ; Osteochondrodysplasias/genetics* ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical symptoms and potential mutation in FGFR3 gene for a family featuring hereditary dwarfism in order to attain diagnosis and provide prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSFive patients and two unaffected relatives from the family, in addition with 100 healthy controls, were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted. Exons 10 and 13 of the FGFR3 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were sequenced in both directions.

RESULTSAll patients had similar features including short stature, short limbs, lumbar hyperlordosis but normal craniofacial features. A heterozygous mutation G1620T (N540K) was identified in the cDNA from all patients but not in the unaffected relatives and 100 control subjects. A heterozygous G380R mutation was excluded.

CONCLUSIONThe hereditary dwarfism featured by this family has been caused by hypochondroplasia (HCH) due to a N540K mutation in the FGFR3 gene.

Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dwarfism ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; genetics

Preoperative chemo- and radiotherapeutic strategies followed by surgery are currently a standard approach for treating locally advanced gastric and esophagogastric junction cancer in Western countries. However, in a large number of cases, the tumor is extremely resistant to these treatments and the patients are exposed to unnecessary toxicity and delayed surgical therapy. The current clinical trials evaluating the combination of preoperative systemic therapies with modern targeted and immunotherapeutic agents represent a unique opportunity for identifying predictive biomarkers of response to select patients that would benefit the most from these treatments. However, it is of utmost importance that these potential biomarkers are corroborated by extensive preclinical and translational research. The aim of this review article is to present the most promising biomarkers of response to classic chemotherapeutic, anti-HER2, antiangiogenic, and immunotherapeutic agents that can be potentially useful for personalized preoperative systemic therapies in gastric cancer patients.
Biomarkers ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Microsatellite Instability ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Translational Medical Research

Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is a sporadic lethal type of skeletal dysplasia featuring micromelia, decreased thoracic dimension and macrocephaly. To date, several kinds of mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) has been identified in TD. We experienced a case of TD type I and underwent sequencing of the exon 7, 10 and the stop codon of FGFR3 to identify the type of mutation. TDI was diagnosed by the prenatal ultrasound at 25 weeks of gestation. The pregnancy was terminated and the diagnosis was confirmed by radiological and histologic examinations. The genomic DNA was extracted and the sequences of the exon 7, 10 and the stop codon of FGFR3 were amplified by PCR. The sequencing was performed for the each PCR products by dideoxyterminator method. The nucleotide transition from G to T was found in the nucleotide 1108, which is a part of the transmembrane domain, exon 10. To date, only one type of mutation (nucleotide 742) in the FGFR3 was identified in TD1 among Asian. This case firstly reveals the mutation of FGFR3 other than mutation at nucleotide 742 in TD1.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Codon, Terminator ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Exons* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Macrocephaly ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3* ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor* ; Thanatophoric Dysplasia* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE[corrected] To investigate the mutation at the transmembrane domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) nucleotide 1138 site for identifying the major pathologic mechanism of achondroplasia (ACH) and to evaluate the efficacy of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) method for screening the point mutations.

METHODSThe genomic DNA from 17 clinically diagnosed ACH patients where analysed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) with Sfc I and Msp I restriction endonucleases and by PCR-DGGE technique for screening.

RESULTSG to A transition mutation at nucleotide 1138 was detected in 14/17 of the ACH patients as heterozygotes by PCR-RFLP with Sfc I digestion. No 1138 G to C transition was detected by Msp I digestion. All of the 14 samples with G to A mutation were also found to be positive for point mutation by PCR-DGGE. No mutation was detected in 3 negative samples by PCR-RFLP, implying that there was actually no point mutation in this amplified region.

CONCLUSIONNucleotide 1138 in transmembrane domain of FGFR3 gene is the hot point for mutation in ACH and hence its major pathologic cause. PCR-DGGE is a sensitive and reliable technique for point mutation screening, especially for the heterozygotes.

Achondroplasia ; genetics ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish the mouse model of Gly374Arg mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3(Fgfr3) and to analyze the phenotype of the mutant mice.

METHODSThe double PCR was used to introduce Gly374Arg point mutation into mouse Fgfr3. The electroporation of embryonic stem(ES) cells was carried out with targeting vector. The targeted ES cells were screened by Positive-Negative Selection of G418 and Ganciclovir, and Southern blot. The correct targeted ES cells were microinjected into blastula. Finally, mutant mice were obtained by crossing between EIIa-Cre transgenic mice and mice carrying recombined mutant Fgfr3 allele. The mice were genotyped by PCR, and phenotype was observed by skeleton staining, histology, etc.

RESULTSFgfr3-Gly374Arg mutant mice exhibited small size, short tail, macrocephaly and had dome-shaped heads, the epiphyseal growth plates of mutant mice were narrower, and the hypertrophic chondrocyte zone was also obviously decreased. Meanwhile, the majority of female mice were infertile, and the uterus, ovary and mammal gland in mutant female mice were also smaller and underdeveloped.

CONCLUSIONThe model of Fgfr3-Gly374Arg mutation causing achondroplasia in mice has been established successfully.

Achondroplasia ; genetics ; pathology ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Ovary ; pathology ; Point Mutation ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 ; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor ; genetics ; Uterus ; pathology