N-myc oncogene amplification in a pediatric case of glioblastoma multiforme.
A sample of a primary brain tumor of glial cell origin was surgically removed from a 7-year-old girl. The histopathological analysis showed a heterogeneous tumor containing highly cellular areas composed of small, poorly differentiated cells with frequent mitoses suggestive of a glioblastoma multiforme. There were also areas presenting as features of lower-grade astrocytoma. Strong immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillar acidic protein was demonstrated, while vimentin, neurofilament, and S-100 protein were all positive in just the astrocytic part of the tumor. The DNA extracted from a fresh tumor sample at diagnosis was processed by Southern blot analysis and hybridized with a 2.0 kb N-myc oncogene probe recognizing the first intron and the second exon of the human gene. A 20-fold amplification of the oncogene was found. The possible role of such a molecular alteration is discussed in light of the clinical presentation and histopathological features.
Stenger
A M
AM
Pediatric Oncology Research Laboratory, G. Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova, Italy.
Garrè
M L
ML
Cama
A
A
Andreussi
L
L
Brisigotti
M
M
Tonini
G P
GP
Cornaglia-Ferraris
P
P
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification / Q000235:genetics*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015342:DNA Probes; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc