Correlation between the presence of KRAS mutation and the morphometric characteristics of colorectal carcinoma cell nuclei

Ariel Greenberg, Dov Hershkovitz, Edmond Sabo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between KRAS status and changes in nuclear morphometric properties. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 60 cases were included in the analysis. Thirty cases carried a mutated KRAS oncogene, while 30 bore a wild-type KRAS gene. Computerized morphometry was used to measure various nuclear indices of size, shape, and texture. RESULTS: Nuclear ellipticity (p=0.02) and chromatin textural contrast (p = 0.02) were both significantly higher in the mutated KRAS group. However, chromatin contrast was the only independent predictor of KRAS status. A ROC analysis detected a best chromatin contrast cutoffpoint of 798, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 52%. Tumor grade was also associated with nuclear ellipticity (p=0.001). Yet, no association was found between tumor grade and KRAS status. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the presence of a KRAS mutation in colorectal carcinoma is associated with alterations in the nuclear morphometric propOBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between KRAS status and changes in nuclear morphometric properties. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 60 cases were included in the analysis. Thirty cases carried a mutated KRAS oncogene, while 30 bore a wild-type KRAS gene. Computerized morphometry was used to measure various nuclear indices of size, shape, and texture. RESULTS: Nuclear ellipticity (p=0.02) and chromatin textural contrast (p=0.02) were both significantly higher in the mutated KRAS group. However, chromatin contrast was the only independent predictor of KRAS status. A ROC analysis detected a best chromatin contrast cutoffpoint of 798, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 52%. Tumor grade was also associated with nuclear ellipticity (p=0.001). Yet, no association was found between tumor grade and KRAS status. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the presence of a KRAS mutation in colorectal carcinoma is associated with alterations in the nuclear morphometric properties of contrast and ellipticity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-31
Number of pages9
JournalAnalytical and Quantitative Cytology and Histology
Volume36
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Colon cancer
  • Colon carcinoma
  • Colorectal carcinoma
  • KRAS
  • KRAS oncogene

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