Detection of N-myc amplification in neuroblastomas using Southern blotting on fine needle aspirates.
OBJECTIVE
To verify the possibility of detecting N-myc amplification in fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology from neuroblastomas by the Southern blotting technique.


METHODS
Fifteen neuroblastomas diagnosed by FNA in the Department of Pathology, Hospital de S. João, between 1990 and 1998, were studied for N-myc amplification using the Southern blotting technique in cytologic and histologic material.


RESULTS
DNA extraction from the cytologic material was performed in all cases (N = 15). In two cases the quality/quantity of the DNA did not allow the study of N-myc status by the Southern blotting technique. We detected N-myc amplification in 1 of 13 patients (7.6%) from whom material was available for genetic study.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to use the Southern blotting technique to demonstrate N-myc amplification in material obtained from FNA of neuroblastomas.
Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology and Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Hospital of S. João, Medical Faculty, Porto University, Porto, Portugal.
H
H
Barroca
J L
JL
Carvalho
M J
MJ
da Costa
L
L
Cirnes
R
R
Seruca
F C
FC
Schmitt
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger