Absence of somatostatin receptor expression in vivo is correlated to di- or tetraploid 1p36-deleted neuroblastomas.
BACKGROUND
Poor prognosis in childhood neuroblastoma is associated with deletions of chromosome region 1p36 and di/tetraploid DNA content.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with histopathologically proven neuroblastoma were investigated for in vivo expression of somatostatin receptors (SR) by 111In-pentetreotide scintigraphy. All tumors were analyzed for cytometric DNA content and chromosome 1p36 integrity.


RESULTS
SR expression was detected in 28 tumors (61%) and correlated with young age, localized clinical stage, and favorable outcome. Fourteen tumors showed deletion at chromosome 1p36, thirteen of which did not show SR expression (P< 0.001). A triploid DNA content was correlated with the presence of SR (23 of 25, P< 0.001). No tumor with deletion of chromosome 1p36 and di/tetra DNA content showed SR expression (chi2 = 29.88, d.o.f. = 2, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that SR expression is related to genetic features of prognostic significance. This may be assessed with a minimally invasive scintigraphic method.
Schilling
F H
FH
Oncology/Hematology/Immunology, Olgahospital, Childhood and Adolescent Health, Stuttgart, Germany. fhs.nbs.s.shuttle.de
Ambros
P F
PF
Bihl
H
H
Martinsson
T
T
Ambros
I M
IM
Borgström
P
P
Jacobsson
H
H
Falkmer
U G
UG
Treuner
J
J
Kogner
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000782:Aneuploidy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007223:Infant; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008297:Male; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; D013004:Somatostatin; C081788:pentetreotide