Expression of C-Myc mRNA in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical significance of C-myc mRNA in patients with tongue cancer.


METHODS
C-myc mRNA expression was studied by RT-PCR in peripheral blood of 25 tongue cancer patients and 24 controls. C-myc protein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In tongue cancer patients, pretherapeutic C-myc mRNA expression was significantly higher as compared to controls. In tumor tissues, a trend of low expression of C-myc mRNA was noted as compared to pretherapeutic blood. The mean pretherapeutic C-myc mRNA level was lower in tobacco-users, in older patients, in keratinizing tumors, in tumors showed lymphocytic infiltration as well as in non-responders as compared to their respective counterparts. C-myc mRNA expression was lower in tumors showed lymphatic permeation and in patients with a habit of tobacco use. Further, low C-myc mRNA expression associated with poor prognosis. C-myc protein expression was noted in 72% of the tumors and an inverse correlation was noted between C-myc protein expression and disease stage. In early stage disease, an inverse correlation was noted while in advanced stage disease, a positive correlation was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
In tongue cancer, downregulation of C-myc mRNA associated with advancement of the disease and worse prognosis.
Vora
Hemangini H
HH
Immunohistochemistry Division, The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, India.
Shah
Neelam G
NG
Trivedi
Trupti I
TI
Goswami
Jignesh V
JV
Shukla
Shilin N
SN
Shah
Pankaj M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D012333:RNA, Messenger