Classification of neuroblastomas based on an analysis of the expression of genes related to prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
To select the optimal treatment according to the grade of malignancy of neuroblastoma (NB), it is essential to accurately and rapidly identify genetic abnormalities associated with the prognosis. We have identified BIN1 and neuronatin beta as the novel prognosis-related genes for NBs. This study aims to assess the correlation between the combination of the expression level of prognosis-related genes and the outcome of NB.


METHODS
In 44 NB samples, the expression levels of TrkA, BIN1, and neuronatin beta were determined using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; furthermore, the correlation between the expression of these genes' expression levels and the clinical progression of NB were assessed.


RESULTS
It was possible to classify 44 NBs into 4 groups regarding the grade of malignancy of NB. These 4 groups were all significantly associated with the clinical stages international NB staging system as well as the outcomes of the patients (P < .001, according to the trend test by Kruskal-Wallis exact test).


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of the expression levels of these genes using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction is indicated as the effective method to quickly and accurately evaluate the grade of malignancy of NBs.
Tajiri
Tatsuro
T
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. taji@pedsurg.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Higashi
Mayumi
M
Souzaki
Ryota
R
Tatsuta
Kyousuke
K
Kinoshita
Yoshiaki
Y
Taguchi
Tomoaki
T
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C101410:BIN1 protein, human; C459801:MYCN protein, human; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D020917:Receptor, trkA