title: MYC copy number gains are associated with poor outcome in penile squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined MYC gene numerical aberrations and protein expression at different stages of penile squamous cell carcinoma carcinogenesis. We correlated these findings with clinicopathological parameters and HPV infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 79 cases of penile squamous cell carcinoma, including 11 in situ and 68 invasive carcinomas. The MYC cytogenetic profile was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. HPV was detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MYC gains were identified in 4 of 11 in situ carcinomas (36%) and 50 of 68 invasive penile squamous cell carcinomas (73%). A significant association between MYC gains, and tumor progression and poor outcome was demonstrated (p <0.05). HPV DNA was detected in 32 of 79 penile squamous cell carcinomas (39%). High risk type 16 was the most prevalent type. MYC numerical aberrations did not correlate with HPV status. A significant association between HPV and MYC protein over expression was noted. In HPV negative cases MYC gains correlated with MYC over expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MYC gains progressively increased during penile squamous cell carcinoma progression from in situ samples to metastases. MYC gains were an independent factor for poor prognosis. These findings were independent of HPV infection. MYC expression was increased in samples with HPV infection, probably reflecting direct activation of MYC.
authors.affiliation: Servei de Dermatologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain. emilimasferreriniubo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Emili
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Masferrer
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrándiz-Pulido
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lloveras
authors.forename: Magalí
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masferrer-Niubò
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Espinet
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salido
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rivera
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alemany
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Placer
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gelabert
authors.forename: Octavi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Servitje
authors.forename: Vicenç
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: García-Patos
authors.forename: Ramon M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pujol
authors.forename: Agustí
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C489427:MYC protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc