Correlation of chromosomal polysomy with overexpression of c-myc and c-erbB-2 in primary nasopharyng

• 作 者: Zhang Linjie YAN Jian LIANG Qi
• 机 构: Cancer Institute
• 出 处: 科学通报
• 发表日期: 2004年期
• 关键词: nasopharyngeal carcinoma c-myc c-erbB-2 tissue microarray chromosomal polysomy

Many genes may be involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) development and progression. Several known oncogenes, including c-myc and c-erb-B2, have been shown to have structural alteration and aberrant expression in NPC. Here, we constructed a tissue microarray to determine the status of c-myc and c-erbB-2 oncogenes at the DNA and protein levels using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to define the diagnostic, prognostic importance of the genetic changes. Results showed that amplification of c-myc and c-erbB-2 was not found in NPC. Polysomy 8 and 17 were observed in 43%-50% and 20%-27% of NPC tumors, respectively. Overexpressions of c-myc and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins were detected in 53.6% and 54.5% cases of NPC with polysomy 8 and 17, respectively. There was no significant correlation between c-myc and c-erbB-2 staining and the clinical stage. But overexpression of c-erbB-2 was associated with polysomy 17 in NPC. These findings suggest that chromosomal polysomy, not gene amplification, may be partially responsible for the upregulated expression of c-erbB-2 oncogene in NPC.