The association of DNA-dependent protein kinase activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes with prognosis of cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Repair of various types of DNA damages is critical for genomic stability. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) has an important role in DNA double-strand break repair. We examined whether there may be a correlation between DNA-PK activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and survival percentages in various cancer patients. We also investigated the changes of DNA-PK activity in PBLs after radiotherapy.

METHODS:

A total of 167 of untreated cancer patients participated in this study. Peripheral blood was collected, separated, and centrifuged. DNA-PK activity was measured by DNA-pull-down assay. Chromosomal aberrations were examined by cytogenetic methods.

RESULTS:

DNA-PK activity of PBLs in advanced cancer patients was significantly lower than that in early stage. The patients with lower DNA-PK activity in PBLs tended to have the lower disease-specific survivals and distant metastasis-free survivals than those with higher DNA-PK activity in advanced stages. There was also a tendency of inverse correlation between DNA-PK activity and excess fragments. The DNA-PK activity of PBLs in most patients decreased in response to radiation as the equivalent whole-body dose increased.

CONCLUSION:

Cancer patients in advanced stage, with lower DNA-PK activity of PBLs might have higher distant metastasis and exhibit poorer prognosis. Therefore, DNA-PK activity in PBLs could be used as a marker to predict the chromosomal instability and poorer prognosis.

• Authors: M Someya, K-i Sakata, Y Matsumoto, R P Kamdar, M Kai, M Toyota, M Hareyama
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 104 Issue 11 Pg. 1724-9 (May 24 2011) ISSN: 1532-1827 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21559021 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Nuclear Proteins
• DNA-Activated Protein Kinase
• PRKDC protein, human

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Chromosome Aberrations
• DNA-Activated Protein Kinase (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Lymphocytes (enzymology, radiation effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Neoplasms (blood, genetics, mortality, radiotherapy)
• Nuclear Proteins (metabolism)
• Prognosis