c-myc mRNA expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Steady state c-myc mRNA levels determined by Northern blot analysis were examined in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) of both high (n = 29) and low malignancy (n = 18), and in non-specific chronic lymphadenitis (n = 6). High grade NHL, classified according to the updated Kiel classification, revealed significantly larger amounts of c-myc mRNA compared with low grade NHL and lymphadenitis. mRNA levels in non-specific lymphadenitis were lower than in low grade NHL, but the differences were not statistically significant. No correlation between c-myc mRNA levels and the immunologic phenotype was discernible. Growth fractions of the NHL were determined by immunostaining with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. Significant correlations between the percentages of Ki-67-positive cells, as well as the amounts of c-myc mRNA, and classification into high or low grade NHL were found. However, the percentage of Ki-67 positive cells and c-myc mRNA levels in individual cases and in the various histologic entities of NHL did not correlate. Our results indicate the overexpression of the c-myc gene in NHL, and a highly significant correlation of steady state c-myc mRNA levels with the prognosis-related histomorphologic Kiel classification of NHL into different subgroups of low and high grade malignancy.
Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, School of Medicine, Federal Republic of Germany.
C
C
Fellbaum
T
T
Radaszkiewicz
C
C
Ruhri
B
B
Pütz
W
W
Lehmacher
H
H
Höfler
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002455:Cell Division; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000378:metabolism; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm