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C-myc gene amplification
Clinical Significance:
C-myc is a proto-oncogene localized on chromosome 8. The gene encodes a transcription factor that participates in the regulation of gene transcription by binding to DNA and activating the transcription of growth related genes and thereby promoting cell proliferation. Amplification of the gene has been described in many types of tumors, including
breast
(1),
cervical and colon cancers (2),
as well as in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
(3),
myeloma (4),
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, gastric adenocarcinomas and ovarian cancer. Amplification of the c-myc gene occurs in up to 20%-30% of breast cancers and has been associated with poor prognosis. Deregulated c-Myc expression and alterations of c-myc oncogene have been reported to play an important role in the invasive stage of breast cancer tumorigenesis. Gene amplification of N-myc has been reported in 20-25% of human neuroblastomas and 30-40% of Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and this has been clinically correlated to a poor prognosis
(5).
Methodology:
| Minor groove binder
(MGB) with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been utilized to develop a quantitative, Real Time PCR based assay for the ultrasensitive detection and quantitation of
C-myc gene amplification
(6).
Patient DNA would be isolated, purified, and subjected to PCR amplification using oligonucleotide primers and Taqman probe. An additional PCR amplification directed at a GAPDH gene segment would be performed as a control for sample DNA quality. |
 |
The assay has been validated by a positive control reaction using DNA from a colon carcinoma cell line with known c-myc gene amplification.
References:
1) Chrzan P., Skokowski J., Karmolinski A. et al (2001) Clin. Biochem. 34 (7), 557.
2) Masranon L., Arribas R., Tortola S. et al (1998) Br. J. Cancer 77 (12), 2341.
3) Rodrigo J.P., Lazo P.S., Ramos S. et al (1996) Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 122 (5), 504.
4) Greulich K.M., Utikal J., Peter R.U. (2000) Cancer 81 (1), 97.
5) Sarbia M., Loberg C., Wolter M. et al (1999) Am. J. Pathol. 155 (4), 1027.
6) Raggi C.C., Bagnoni M.L., Jonini G.P. et al (1999) Clin. Chem. 45 (11), 1918.
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