Mutational alterations of the p16^CDKN2A tumor suppressor gene have low incidence in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma

Mutational inactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) (p16^INK4A/MTS1) tumor suppressor gene has been found in a variety of human tumor types. To investigate the involvement of CDKI abnormality in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, alterations of CDKIs were examined in human mesenchymal chondrosarcoma tissues using a quantitative DNA/ PCR, PCR-SSCP. Seven of 33 specimens (21.2%) showed abnormally low levels of p16^CDKN2A amplification, suggesting that the allelic deletion of the gene might be a less frequent event in progression of this tumor. To detect subtle sequence alterations such as point mutations, SSCP analysis of the entire coding region of the p16^CDKN2A gene, exons 1, 2, and 3 regions, showed no altered SSCP patterns in 33 mesenchymal chondrosarcoma specimens. A low incidence of genetic alterations of the p16^CDKN2A was found in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Through this study, we conclude that alteration of the p16C^DKN2A gene does not participate significantly in the tumorigenesis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.