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.
Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. sebastian_aulmann@med.uni-heidelberg.de
S
S
Aulmann
N
N
Adler
J
J
Rom
B
B
Helmchen
P
P
Schirmacher
H P
HP
Sinn
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