Molecular genetic alterations of c-myc oncogene in superficial and locally advanced bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Gene activation and altered expression of cellular proto-oncogene are important mechanisms implicated in initiation and development processes of human cancer. It has already been shown that c-myc oncogene is implicated in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.


METHODS
We have determined the methylation status, the presence of genetic amplification and the presence of m-RNA overexpression of c-myc gene in 31 samples from patients with bladder carcinomas.


RESULTS
Our data demonstrated the presence of c-myc gene amplification only in 5 of 15 superficial bladder carcinomas (p < 0.05). On the other hand, we did not find statistical significant correlation between the methylation, expression of c-myc gene and the clinical-histopathological parameters. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the methylation pattern and m-RNA overexpression of c-myc oncogene.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate aberrant c-myc gene status in human bladder cancer. This oncogene is altered at different levels in bladder carcinoma genesis and progression.
Sardi
I
I
Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy.
Dal Canto
M
M
Bartoletti
R
R
Guazzelli
R
R
Travaglini
F
F
Montali
E
E
D000368:Aged; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D012333:RNA, Messenger