Retrospective evaluation of c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification using competitive PCR in collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retrospectively c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification in paraffin embedded specimens of collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney (CDC) with competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


METHODS
Eleven CDC specimens were evaluated with a novel PCR procedure for oncogene amplification measurement, which provides sensitive and accurate results even in presence of low-quality DNA, unsuitable for Southern blot techniques.


RESULTS
c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification was present in 5 out of 11 cases (45%) with a number of copies ranging from 4 to 12. All patients presenting oncogene amplification decreased within one year, while 50% (3/6) of those without amplification are alive with a mean follow-up of 42 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The high incidence of c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification in CDC further characterizes this tumor as a separate entity from renal cell carcinoma, and shows some genetic characteristics in common with transitional cell carcinoma.
Selli
C
C
Department of Urology, University of Florence, Italy.
Amorosi
A
A
Vona
G
G
Sestini
R
R
Travaglini
F
F
Bartoletti
R
R
Orlando
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D007685:Kidney Tubules, Collecting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies