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. 2001 Jan 1;84(1):72–79. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2000.1535

Extra c-myc oncogene copies in high risk cutaneous malignant melanoma and melanoma metastases

G M Kraehn 1,2,#, J Utikal 1,#, M Udart 1, K M Greulich 1,3, G Bezold 1, P Kaskel 1, U Leiter 1, R U Peter 1
PMCID: PMC2363612  PMID: 11139316

Abstract

Amplification and overexpression of the c-myc gene have been associated with neoplastic transformation in a plethora of malignant tumours. We applied interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a locus-specific probe for the c-myc gene (8q24) in combination with a corresponding chromosome 8 α-satellite probe to evaluate genetic alterations in 8 primary melanomas and 33 advanced melanomas and compared it to 12 melanocytic nevi, 7 safety margins and 2 cases of normal skin. Additionally, in metaphase spreads of 7 melanoma cell lines a whole chromosome 8 paint probe was used. We investigated the functionality of the c-myc gene by detecting c-myc RNA expression with RT-PCR and c-myc protein by immunohistochemistry. 4/8 primary melanomas and 11/33 melanoma metastases showed additional c-myc signals relative to the centromere of chromosome 8 copy number. None of the nevi, safety margins or normal skin samples demonstrated this gain. In 2/7 melanoma cell lines (C32 and WM 266–4) isochromosome 8q formation with a relative gain of c-myc copies and a loss of 8p was observed. The highest c-myc gene expression compared to GAPDH was found in melanoma metastases (17.5%). Nevi (6.6%) and primary melanomas (5.0%) expressed the c-myc gene on a lower level. 72.7% of the patients with c-myc extra copies had visceral melanoma metastases (UICC IV), patients without c-myc gain in 35.0% only. The collective with additional c-myc copies also expressed the gene on a significantly higher level. These results indicate that a c-myc gain in relation to the centromere 8 copy number might be associated with advanced cutaneous melanoma. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Keywords: c-myc, chromosome 8, fluorescence in situ hybridization, RT-PCR

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Selected References

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