title: DNA copy gains of tumor-related genes in vestibular schwannoma.
abstract: DNA copy gains are a common event in tumor growth. This study determines the gene dosage/amplification of seven tumor-related genes in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery and analyzes its clinical implications. Thirty-three patients undergoing surgery for VS were studied. Seven genes (EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3, ERBB4, MDM2, MDM4, and NMYC) were analyzed by Quantitative real-time PCR. Copy gains were correlated with demographic, clinical and radiological data. Of the 33 samples, 48 % were positive for copy gains in at least one gene. There were no positive samples for gene amplification. A clinical correlation between tumor size and copy gains of ERBB2 was found. Patients with copy gains of this gene had larger tumors measured by diameter (p = 0.027) and volume (p = 0.005). Copy gains of EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB4, and MDM4 were associated with preoperative tinnitus. Contrary to other tumors of the central nervous system, development of VS does not appear to involve gene amplification. However, copy gains of certain tumor-related genes may play a role in the biological behavior of these neoplasms. Our findings support the role of ERBB2 in VS development and growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital La Paz/Autónoma University School of Medicine, IdiPAZ, Pº de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain. luikilassa@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lassaletta
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torres-Martín
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: San-Román-Montero
authors.forename: Javier S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Castresana
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gavilán
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D047368:Tumor Burden