title: MYC and MYCN amplification can be reliably assessed by aCGH in medulloblastoma.
abstract: As prognostic factors, MYC and MYCN amplifications are routinely assessed in medulloblastomas. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is currently considered as the technique of reference. Recently, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) has been developed as an alternative technique to evaluate genomic abnormalities in other tumor types; however, this technique has not been widely adopted as a replacement for FISH in medulloblastoma. In this study, 34 tumors were screened by both FISH and aCGH. In all cases showing amplification by FISH, aCGH also unambiguously revealed the abnormality. The aCGH technique was also performed on tumors showing no amplification by FISH, and the absence of amplification was confirmed in all cases. Interestingly, one tumor showed a subclonal MYC amplification by FISH. This subclonal amplification was observed in approximately 20% of tumor cells and was clearly evident on aCGH. In conclusion, our analysis confirms that aCGH is as safe as FISH for the detection of MYC/MYCN gene amplification. Given its cost efficiency in comparison to two FISH tests and the global genomic information additionally provided by an aCGH experiment, this reproducible technique can be safely retained as an alternative to FISH for routine investigation of medulloblastoma.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U830, Laboratory of Genetics and Biology of Cancers, Curie Institute, Paris, France. franck.bourdeaut@curie.fr
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bourdeaut
authors.forename: Camille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grison
authors.forename: Claude-Alain
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maurage
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laquerriere
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasiljevic
authors.forename: Marie-Bernadette
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Delisle
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michalak
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Figarella-Branger
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doz
authors.forename: Wilfrid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Richer
authors.forename: Gaelle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierron
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miquel
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Delattre
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Couturier
mesh_terms: D055028:Comparative Genomic Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D005784:Gene Amplification; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000235:genetics*; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: C459801:MYCN protein, human; D000071447:N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins