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Analysis of the prognostic factors relating to better clinical outcome in ganglioneuroblastoma.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the precise reason for the better prognosis in ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) than in neuroblastoma (NB), the prognostic factors (age at diagnosis, stage at diagnosis, primary site, N-myc amplification, Shimada classification, and ploidy) were analyzed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the 57 neuroblastoma cases (20 GNB cases and 37 NB cases), that had not been detected by mass screening over the past 19 years at the authors' institute, was carried out. RESULTS: A Kaplan-Meier analysis of the 5-year survival rates were 67.2% and 35.1% in cases of GNB and NB, respectively, and these rates were significantly higher in GNB (logrank test; P = .04631). No significant differences were seen between GNB and NB regarding the rate in patients 1 year of age or older (95.0% v 78.4%; P = .1005), the rate of advanced cases (60.0% v 78.4%, P = .1406), the rate of an unfavorable histology (Shimada classification, 54.5% v 68.4%, P = .4473), or the diploid pattern rate (75.0% v 76.9%, P = .9200). However, N-myc amplification was found exclusively in NB (amplified cases per examined cases; 15/31), and all cases with N-myc amplification died. When the 5-year survival rate was evaluated in the patient without N-myc amplification between GNB and NB, no significant difference was observed (logrank test; P = .8568). CONCLUSION: The better prognosis in patients with GNB was thus thought to be exclusively related to an absence of N-myc amplification.

Ganglioneuroblastoma↗

MYC messenger RNA expression predicts survival outcome in childhood primitive neuroectodermal tumor/medulloblastoma.

PURPOSE AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Cerebellar primitive neuroectodermal tumors/medulloblastomas (PNET/MB) are the most common malignant brain tumors in childhood. To identify PNET/MB biological prognostic factors that define a patient group with a sufficiently good prognosis to permit a reduction in treatment intensity, we determined the expression levels of MYC mRNA in fresh frozen tumor samples from 26 PNET/MB patients using semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR. RESULTS: MYC mRNA expression levels in primary PNET/MB showed a wide range with a 22-fold difference between the highest and lowest values and did not correlate with MYC gene amplification. MYC mRNA expression was an independent significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival outcome and was more predictive than standard clinical factors. The combination of low MYC mRNA expression and high TrkC mRNA expression identified a good outcome group of PNET/MB patients (n = 7) with 100% progression-free survival after a median follow-up time of 55 months (range, 15-91 months). Three of these seven good outcome patients survived without radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Low MYC mRNA expression is a powerful independent predictor of favorable clinical outcome in PNET/MB. Assessment of MYC mRNA levels is feasible and may be incorporated in prospective PNET/MB clinical trials to aid in treatment planning for patients with PNET/MB on confirmation of our results in larger studies.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗

Disseminated neuroblastomas under 1 year of age: cell biology and prognosis.

Tumor specimens of 203 infants with neuroblastomas of different clinical stages-registered in successive multicenter clinical trials of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology-could be examined for N-myc amplification, chromosome 1-ploidy and-structure, CD44 std. expression (in tumor tissue, and also in patient's sera). Eighty-seven (= 43%) of these infants had a non-localized, disseminated neuroblastoma, mainly involving sympathetic nerve tissue, lymph nodes, liver, skin, bone marrow and bones (46 patients were classified into the 4 group, 41 patients in the true 4 group). If the clinical classification between stage 4 and stage 4s was neglected, then 17 of these infants (= 20%) had N-myc amplification (4-64 copies) with 16 already dead. Seven of 9 examined patients with true stage 4- had chromosome 1p aberrations (with N-myc amplification in 5), and among the dead there were 2 with CD44 negative expression. In another series, serum CD44 std. was measured by ELISA, and the highest (significantly different) Kruskal-Wallis mean rank values (147.8) were found in infants (n = 6) with stage 4s compared to the low mean-rank-value of 71.9 in patients with stage 4 (n = 65). Stage 1-3 patients (n = 42) had values of 99.8-88.6. Thus, infants with disseminated neuroblastomas, showing non-diploidy, normal chromosome 1p structure, non-N-myc amplification and high CD44 std. expression in tumor tissue, and also high CD44 std. values in serum, will have the highest chance of survival due to tumor-non-progression. On the other hand, N-myc amplification in the tumor cells was found to be characteristic for stage 4s neuroblastoma patients with tumor progression (n = 6). Therefore, 4s neuroblastoma-patients with N-myc amplified tumors should be aggressively treated like true stage 4 tumor patients.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗

Similar chromosomal patterns and lack of N-myc gene amplification in localized and IV-S stage neuroblastomas in infants.

Chromosome analysis was performed on 33 neuroblastomas in infants. Near triploid chromosome abnormalities (range, 60 to 77) were found in 29 patients with localized and IV-S stage neuroblastoma, and hyperdiploidy (range, 50 to 56) in 3 patients with localized neuroblastoma. No marker chromosome 1, homogeneously staining region (HSR), or double minutes (DMS) was observed in these patients, all of which have been previously reported in advanced neuroblastomas. N-myc gene amplification was not detected in any of these patients. All the patients were completely free of disease 4-45 months after diagnosis. Only one patient with stage IV neuroblastoma had a marker chromosome 1 (mode 46) and N-myc gene amplification and relapsed. Five patients with IV-S neuroblastoma lacking N-myc gene amplification had near triploid chromosomal abnormalities similar to those seen in localized neuroblastoma in infants. We consider that, cytogenetically, localized and IV-S neuroblastoma may be within the same disease category and different from advanced neuroblastoma.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

c-myc locus amplification and the acquisition of trisomy 8 in the evolution of chronic myeloid leukaemia.

The biological progression of chronic myeloid leukaemia is often associated with secondary cytogenetic abnormalities but the molecular mechanisms underlying this progression are poorly understood. This study explores the association of c-myc gene amplification with the progression of chronic myeloid leukaemia in fourteen individuals. Three of these cases showed amplification of c-myc during the course of their disease. Cytogenetic and molecular analysis of serial samples from some patients suggested the successive expansion of distinct clones of malignant cells. Our findings also suggest that trisomy 8 and locus amplification could represent alternative mechanisms for increasing c-myc gene dosage.

Chromosome Mapping↗

[Oncogenes in squamous epithelial cancers in the area of the head and neck].

Proto-oncogenes are a part of the genetic code of each human cell. Physiologically they code special enzymes, membrane receptors and growth factors which are necessary for cell growth and function. Alterations in these genes like amplification, rearrangements, mutations or chromosomal translocation appeared to be implicated in the induction of neoplasms. So these genes were called "oncogenes". Recent work has shown that increased expression of the c-myc oncogene in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck is related to advanced SCC stages (TNM). We examined more than fourty human SCC of the head and neck with Southern blot analysis for c-myc amplification and rearrangement. Our preliminary results indicate that c-myc amplification is correlated with advanced tumour stages and highly aggressive tumour behaviour. Patients with c-myc amplification (15%) all show regional lymph node metastasis. No rearrangement has been seen. Further studies must confirm our results and examine whether c-myc amplification is correlated with the biological characteristics of SCC of the head and neck.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

Characterization of DNA rearrangements of N-myc gene amplification in three neuroblastoma cell lines by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

We characterized N-myc gene amplification in three human neuroblastoma cell lines (IMR-32, TGW, GOTO). Rearrangements in long-range regions surrounding amplified N-myc genes were examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Since rare-cutting enzymes completely digested DNA at the middle of the N-myc gene, we were able to construct a physical map upstream and downstream of the germline N-myc gene, and to obtain information on restriction sites surrounding amplified N-myc genes. This method enables us to envisage the organization of amplified units over a long range. Digestion patterns differed considerably among the germline and the three cell lines, but were simple in each case. We estimated that the minimal distance between neighboring N-myc genes is at least several hundred kilobases. Our data suggest that amplification units contain several DNA fragments derived from different loci, but that they are homogeneous.

Base Sequence↗

Relationship between bcl-2 and myc gene expression in human neuroblastoma.

We have investigated the relationship between the expression of bcl-2 and myc family genes in primary human neuroblastoma (NB) tumors and cell lines. Of 20 NB tumors examined, bcl-2 transcripts were expressed at variable levels in 16 tumors of all clinical stages. Of the 2 tumors with N-myc amplification, one expressed bcl-2 at a high level, whereas the other did so at a low level. In contrast, all NB tumors showed the expression of c-myc and/or N-myc transcripts. Similarly, of 9 NB cell lines with N-myc amplification examined, 6 expressed bcl-2 at high levels, whereas the other 3 expressed it at barely detectable levels. The 3 cell lines without N-myc amplification also expressed bcl-2 protein at high levels. All NB cell lines tested expressed either c-myc or N-myc protein. These data suggest that in NB, there is no significant association between bcl-2 expression and advanced tumor stages or N-myc amplification. The data also show that bcl-2 expression does not always coincide with myc expression in NB, suggesting that bcl-2- independent mechanisms may exist in the bcl-2-negative NB tumor cells in order to suppress the cell death promoting action of high myc expression.

Cell Cycle↗

Amplification of c-myc in hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathologic features, proliferative activity and p53 overexpression.

Expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc has been implicated in liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis. The biologic significance of c-myc gene amplification in human hepatocellular carcinoma, however, is unconfirmed. We correlated c-myc gene amplification with clinicopathologic features, proliferative activity, and p53 expression in 42 resected tumors. c-myc amplification in tumor tissue was determined using a differential polymerase chain reaction, a useful procedure for the evaluation of gene amplification in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, in comparison with a dopamine D2 receptor gene. Proliferative activity was estimated by numbers of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions and immunohistochemical nuclear labeling rates using a monoclonal antibody against Ki-67. The c-myc gene was amplified in 14 of 42 tumors (33.3%). Amplification of c-myc was more frequent in younger patients and in larger tumors, and less differentiated tumors. No correlation was noted with alpha-fetoprotein level or viral hepatitis state. The amplification showed positive correlation with both proliferative activity and p53 overexpression. Disease-free survival in patients showing c-myc amplification was significantly shorter than in those without amplification. These results suggest that c-myc amplification is an indicator of malignant potential and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. c-myc amplification and p53 alteration may be coparticipating events in the progression of these tumors.

Adult↗

Expression and amplification of myc gene family in small cell lung cancer and its relation to biological characteristics.

Eighteen small cell lung cancer (SCLC) lines (including nine lines established by this group) as well as 31 tumor samples from 23 SCLC patients were examined for the surface antigen phenotype and the expression and amplification of the myc gene family. The expression of NE-150 neuroendocrine, PE-35 panepithelial and OE-130 epithelial antigens corresponded well with the level of biomarkers of SCLC lines, i.e., the NE-150+/PE-35+/OE-130- phenotype corresponded to classic type, while the other phenotypes such as NE-150+/PE-35-/OE-130- to variant type. In tumor specimens, most classic SCLC (consisting of oat cell type and intermediate cell type, subtype a) showed NE-150+/PE-35+/OE-130- phenotype, while small cell-large cell carcinoma (intermediate cell type, subtype b) expressed various phenotypes. The amplification of the myc gene family was observed in nine out of 18 lines (50%) and five out of 23 patient tumors (22%). Higher levels of expression of either c-myc, N-myc, or L-myc were detected in 16 out of 18 lines (89%) and in five out of six patient tumors (83%), when compared with that of normal or fetal lung tissues. Thus, the higher expression without obvious myc gene amplification was observed. The cell lines and tumors with the amplified myc always expressed their corresponding myc genes. The results suggested that higher levels of expression of the myc gene family may play a significant role in the oncogenesis of SCLC. Amplification and/or high levels of expression of c-myc were observed not only in variant type SCLC lines, but also in classic type lines. Thus, they were not necessarily associated with distinct biomarkers of SCLC lines.

Antigens, Surface↗

Prognostic value of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in neuroblastoma.

Immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a marker of cell proliferation, is being increasingly used to study the proliferative activity of tumors, and the PCNA labeling index has been correlated with the prognosis of several malignant neoplasms. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of 24 primary neuroblastomas were immunostained using an anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody and the PCNA index was calculated. Then the relationship between the PCNA index, prognosis, and various other factors was assessed, retrospectively. The mean PCNA index was 11.0%. Patients having tumors with a high PCNA index (> or = 11.0%) showed a significantly lower survival rate than those possessing tumors with a low PCNA index (P < 0.001). Moreover, the tumors showing N-myc amplification had a high mean PCNA index of 15.6%, while those without N-myc amplification had a low mean index of 1.7% (P < 0.01). The PCNA index was closely related to the prognosis of neuroblastoma and to N-myc amplification. It has the potential to be a useful prognostic indicator of the patients with neuroblastoma.

Child↗

c-myc oncogene copy number in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: Altered resident cellular genetic sequences (oncogenes) may result in malignant transformation, maintenance of tumor growth, and metastatic propensity. In this pilot study, we have elected to probe c-myc oncogene in evaluating specimens from human squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were obtained from 24 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The ratio of tumor DNA values to that of control DNA was used to estimate the c-myc copy number. RESULTS: Data from material obtained from eight patients was analyzed to the point of c-myc copy number. Tumors varied from stage II through IV. Five originated in the oral cavity and three in the larynx. Analysis of primary tumors demonstrated that two of eight had increased c-myc copy numbers. Histologically positive neck specimens were encountered in five of the study patients. Three demonstrated elevated c-myc copy numbers, two of which had had increased copy number at the primary site. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that c-myc amplification can be present in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. c-myc Amplification may also be present in neck metastasis. Oncogene amplification in neck metastasis may indicate an increased metastatic propensity for individual tumor cells demonstrating c-myc amplification.

Adult↗

Deletion of chromosome 1p loci and microsatellite instability in neuroblastomas analyzed with short-tandem repeat polymorphisms.

We have analyzed DNA from 46 neuroblastoma tumors of all clinical stages and five ganglioneuroma tumors together with corresponding control DNA for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the distal 1p chromosomal region (1p-LOH). The markers used for the analyses were genetically mapped DNA polymorphisms detectable with PCR analysis. In general, there was concordance among aggressive tumor stage, 1p deletion, and N-myc amplification, although exceptions were found. Twelve (26%) of the 46 neuroblastoma tumors displayed 1p-LOH, 11 being stage 4 and 1 stage 2 (which progressed subsequently to stage 4), whereas 10 stage 4 tumors showed no 1p-LOH. Of 12 neuroblastomas shown to have N-myc amplification, 10 had 1p-LOH. In 8 cases it was possible to test for parental origin of the chromosome involved in 1p-LOH. No significant correlation between LOH and paternal or maternal allele was found. Commonly deleted loci in the distal 1p region in the neuroblastoma tumors indicated that the region for a tentative neuroblastoma tumor suppressor gene is defined proximally by marker D1S244 and distally by marker D1S80. One striking feature of three stage 2 neuroblastomas and one of the stage 3 tumors was the presence in the tumor DNA of alleles not present in the constitutional DNA of the patients, i.e., microsatellite instability. The significance of this phenomenon in localized neuroblastoma tumors remains to be clarified. Aggressive neuroblastoma in young children (younger than 2 years of age) seems to be a homogenous disorder consistently showing concomitant 1p-LOH and N-myc amplification. In the majority of unfavorable neuroblastoma in older children, however, neither 1p-LOH nor N-myc amplification could be detected. This indicates that neuroblastoma in older children is a biologically more heterogenous disorder in which genetic alterations other than deletions of chromosome 1p and amplification of N-myc also may contribute to tumorigenesis.

Child↗

Investigation of co-amplification of the candidate genes ornithine decarboxylase, ribonucleotide reductase, syndecan-1 and a DEAD box gene, DDX1, with N-myc in neuroblastoma. United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group.

Although N-myc amplification is strongly associated with a poor prognosis, not all patients with neuroblastomas having N-myc amplification fare badly. To investigate whether genes other than N-myc are responsible for contributing to the prognosis, we examined seven cell lines and 87 primary tumours for co-amplification of candidate genes known to be present near the normal N-myc locus: ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), ribonucleotide reductase (RRM2), syndecan-1 and a DEAD box protein gene, DDX1. Sequence analysis of the pG21 cDNA clone previously reported to represent an expressed gene frequently co-amplified with N-myc, showed this to be from the DDX1 gene. No co-amplification with the first three genes was found in any of the cell lines or tumour samples. DDX1, however was found to be amplified along with N-myc in 4/6 (67%) cell lines and 6/16 (38%) of the N-myc amplified tumours. Co-amplification of DDX1 and N-myc was found more frequently in stage 4 or 4S tumours than lower stage (1-3) tumours. With the exclusion of a single 4S case, there was a highly significant reduction in the mean disease-free interval from 24.4 +/- 4.7 (SE, n = 10) months for cases with co-amplification of N-myc and DDX1 compared with 9.2 +/- 1.8 (SE, n = 5) months for those cases showing amplification of N-myc alone (P = 0.0056, Welch's unpaired t-test). No amplification of DDX1, ODC, RRM2, or syndecan-1 was found in the absence of N-myc amplification. These observation indicate that the N-myc amplicon is of varied size and/or position relative to the N-myc gene, with DDX1 representing at least one other gene frequently co-amplified with N-myc. Further studies are required to confirm the biological and prognostic significance of DDX1 co-amplification and to elucidate the role that DDX1 plays in tumour genesis and progression.

Base Sequence↗

Detection of c-myc oncogene amplification and chromosomal anomalies in metastatic prostatic carcinoma by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

The role of c-myc in prostatic carcinogenesis is poorly understood. The pathogenetic relationship between high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), prostatic carcinoma, and metastases is not well-defined. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a region-specific probe for c-myc (band 8q24) and chromosome enumeration probes for chromosomes 7, 8, 10, 12, and Y to evaluate genetic changes in matched PIN (48 foci), localized prostatic carcinoma (71 foci), and lymph node metastases (23 foci) in 25 totally embedded whole-mount stage D1 (T2-3 N1-3 M0) radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy specimens. The c-myc protein expression in these lesions was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Foci with extra copies of c-myc could be divided into three groups: (a) those with simple gain of a whole chromosome 8 (no increase in c-myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was identified in 42, 25, and 46% of foci of PIN, carcinoma, and metastases, respectively; (b) those with an intermediate increase in c-myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere, which was found in 8, 11, and 25% of foci of PIN, carcinoma, and metastases, respectively; and (c) those with substantial amplification of c-myc (large increases in c-myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was detected in 0, 8, and 21% of foci of PIN, carcinoma, and metastases, respectively. Substantial amplification of c-myc was strongly correlated with increasing cancer nuclear grade and immunohistochemical evidence of c-myc protein overexpression. Numeric chromosomal anomalies were found in 67, 68, and 96% of foci of PIN, carcinoma, and metastases, respectively. The most frequent anomaly in PIN and carcinoma was a gain of chromosome 8, and the presence of this anomaly strongly correlated with Gleason score. Carcinoma foci usually contained more FISH anomalies than paired PIN foci, but three prostates contained one or more PIN foci with more anomalies than carcinoma. Thirteen primary tumor foci exhibited intratumor genetic heterogeneity by FISH. One or more foci of the primary tumor usually shared FISH anomalies with the matched metastases. Our FISH results indicate that: (a) gain of chromosome 8 and amplification of c-myc are potential markers of prostate carcinoma progression; (b) PIN is likely a precursor of carcinoma; (c) intraglandular and intratumoral genetic heterogeneity is relatively common; and (d) usually a single focus of cancer gives rise to metastases.

Aged↗