Double Minute Chromatin Bodies in a Case of Ovarian Ascitic Carcinoma

Abstract

SUMMARY.-The paper presents the cytogenetic constitution of an ovarian ascitic carcinoma. Double minute chromatin bodies were seen in all the metaphases; their number was proportional to the number of the cells. Some properties of the double minute chromatin bodies are discussed.THE presence of double minute chromatin bodies has been reported both in human (Spriggs and Boddington, 1962;Cox et al., 1965; Lubs et al., 1966;Levan et al., 1968; Kucheria, 1968) and experimental tumours (Mark, 1967; Donner and Bubenik, 1968). Levan et al. (1968) pointed out some similarities between the double minute chromatin bodies (DMCB) and the accessory or B chromosomes, but their origin and their role in the tumour cells are still debatable. This paper presents a case of ovarian ascitic carcinoma, the cells of which show the presence of DMCB.Case Report THE patient, aged 65, was admitted into the hospital for metrorrhagia, progressive distension of the abdomen and diffuse pain in the abdomen. Clinical examination revealed the presence of ascitic fluid and an ovarian tumour which was excised. Histopathological examination showed the presence of a solid carcinoma which exhibited areas with glandular structure and areas with squamous features. During the post-surgical chemotherapy, the symptoms of an infectious hepatitis were noted and the patient was hospitalized in the Hospital of Infectious Diseases.The chromosomes in the tumour cells of the effusion were studied using the direct method of Jackson (1967), slightly modified. The investigation was done before any therapy. The method of Moorhead et al. (1960) was employed for peripheral blood cells. RESULTSFifty-six metaphases of a good quality were analysed; the striking feature of these metaphases was the presence in all cells of a variable number of DMCB besides the ordinary chromosomes.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA: biogenesis, structure, functions and diseases

“… 35 DMs were first found in metaphase neuroblastoma cells and subsequently found in numerous types of cancers. 36 , 110 – 112 With the combined applications of WGS, structural modeling, and computational and cytogenetic analysis, Turner et al analyzed 17 different cancer types and showed that only 30% of ecDNA in tumor cells presents with DMs-like features. As this group of eccDNAs can either be detected in a double-body form or a single-body form, the definition of these extrachromosomal particles needs to be broadened.…”

Gemcitabine Eliminates Double Minute Chromosomes from Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

“…DMs were found to be present in primary ovarian carcinoma samples and ascites from ovarian cancer patients, and in established ovarian cancer cell lines [15], [47], [48], [49], [50]. One study has found that in patients the frequency of ovarian carcinoma with DMs is as high as 88% [51].…”

Innovative insights into extrachromosomal circular DNAs in gynecologic tumors and reproduction

“…In the slow development stage, researchers focused mainly on the origins and classification of eccDNAs and began to explore their molecular functions. In 1971, double minute chromatin bodies were observed in ovarian carcinoma ascites cells at metaphase, ranging in size from G group chromosomes to double dots at the edge of visibility ( Olinici, 1971 ). Besides, more detailed information had been added to the closed-loop DNA first found in HeLa cells since 1967: they were referred to as spcDNA and each cell contained 50–200 DNA circles ( Radloff et al, 1967 ).…”