c-myc amplifications in primary breast carcinomas and their local recurrences.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of c-myc oncogene amplifications in the progression of invasive breast carcinomas.


METHODS
c-myc gene copy number was evaluated in a series of 49 primary breast carcinomas and the corresponding local recurrences using fluorescence in situ hybridisation.


RESULTS
11 of the primary carcinomas (22%) harboured c-myc amplifications; these tumours typically were hormone receptor negative and occurred in younger patients (43 v 53 years). At the time of relapse, six additional tumours had acquired a c-myc amplification. The mean recurrence-free survival was 24 months; c-myc amplified tumours relapsed significantly earlier than carcinomas without amplification (18 v 27 months). Univariate analysis showed a worse overall survival in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
While c-myc amplifications can be observed in early stage breast cancer, especially in younger patients, they often occur later in tumour development and appear to be associated with disease progression.
Aulmann
S
S
Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. sebastian_aulmann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Adler
N
N
Rom
J
J
Helmchen
B
B
Schirmacher
P
P
Sinn
H P
HP
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016259:Genes, myc; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone