Aberrant copy numbers of ALK gene is a frequent genetic alteration in neuroblastomas.
A total of 50 neuroblastomas were assessed for frequency of ALK gene copy number aberrations by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization using a break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization probe. The data were compared with status of MYCN, 11q, 17q, and 1p36. We observed ALK aberrations (amplification, 1 of 45; gain, 15 of 45 and loss/imbalance, 11 of 45) in a total of 27 (60%) of 45 neuroblastomas. Synchronic MYCN and ALK aberrations accounted for 23 of 45 (51%) tumors; however, MYCN alterations were also detected in 11 (60%) of 18 tumors without ALK aberrations. Our data suggest that copy number aberrations of the ALK gene is a frequent genetic event in the development of neuroblastomas. In addition, no correlation was observed between ALK aberrations and alterations of 11q, 17q, and 1p36.
Subramaniam
Manish Mani
MM
Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Piqueras
Marta
M
Navarro
Samuel
S
Noguera
Rosa
R
D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
C459801:MYCN protein, human; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases