c-myc mRNA overexpression is associated with lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer.
To elucidate the relationship between oncogene overexpression and malignant potential of colorectal cancer, the expression of three genes, c-myc, c-fos and c-Ki-ras was examined. Northern blot hybridisation was performed on fresh tissues excised from 35 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Overexpression of c-myc mRNA was evident in 25 of the patients (71%). Tumours with c-myc overexpression had a significantly higher frequency of lymph node metastasis than did those without (68 versus 20%, P < 0.05). The survival rate tended to be poorer (P = 0.06) in patients with c-myc overexpression (79% for 3 years) than in those without it (100%). We found no significant relationship between overexpression of the other two genes and pathological features. These findings suggest that c-myc overexpression is one parameter which can be used to determine the malignant potential of colorectal cancer.
Sato
K
K
Department of Surgery I, Oita Medical University, Japan.
Miyahara
M
M
Saito
T
T
Kobayashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D015996:Survival Rate
D012333:RNA, Messenger