[Significance of ALK gene expression in neoplasms and normal tissues].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the clinicopathologic significance of the ALK gene expression in neoplasms and normal tissues.


METHODS
Using the immunohistochemical method, the expressions of ALK gene were examined on 14 anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). 10 Hodgkin's lymphoma, 46 B lymphoma, 13 T lymphoma, 21 malignant astrocytoma, 5 medulloblastoma, 5 ependymoma, 69 carcinomas, 19 sarcomas, and many normal tissues.


RESULTS
(1) The expression rate of ALK was 64.3% in ALCL, it is significantly higher than that in Hodgkin's lymphoma, B lymphoma, and other T lymphoma(P < 0.01). (2) There was strongly expression of ALK in hepatocellular carcinoma, malignant astrocytoma, and medulloblastoma. (3) There was weakly expression of ALK in placenta tissue and astrocyte.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The ALK protein is a very important molecular marker in ALCL, it is very helpful for diagnosing and distinquishing ALCL. (2) ALK gene may take part in the origin and development of hepatocellular carcinoma, malignant astrocytoma, and medulloblastoma and may be an important gene associated with neoplasms.
Shao
Chun-kui
CK
Department of Pathology, Third Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510630, P. R. China. shaock@21cn.com
Su
Zu-lan
ZL
Feng
Zhi-ying
ZY
Rao
Hui-lan
HL
Tang
Lu-ying
LY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases