title: Rapid and accurate determination of MYCN copy number and 1p deletion in neuroblastoma by quantitative PCR.
abstract: MYCN amplification and 1p36 deletion are adverse prognostic factors in neuroblastoma, and rapid accurate determination of MYCN amplification is essential for risk stratification. MYCN copy number and 1p36 deletion status were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real time PCR in a diagnostic pathology laboratory setting on 35 consecutive patients with neuroblastoma. The PCR technique was technically successful in all cases and results were generally available within 24 hr of biopsy. There was no discordance between FISH and PCR results. Real time PCR is a reliable, accurate, and simple technique that can be applied to small neuroblastoma biopsies allowing rapid diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Unit of Molecular Haematology and Cancer Biology, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom. j.anderson@ich.ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Sian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Dyanne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rampling
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shipley
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sebire
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brock
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002878:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016259:Genes, myc; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007223:Infant; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers