MYC messenger RNA expression predicts survival outcome in childhood primitive neuroectodermal tumor/medulloblastoma

Cerebellar primitive neuroectodermal tumors/medulloblastomas (PNET/MB) are the most common malignant brain tumors in childhood. To identify PNET/MB biological prognostic factors that define a patient group with a sufficiently good prognosis to permit a reduction in treatment intensity, we determined the expression levels of MYC mRNA in fresh frozen tumor samples from 26 PNET/MB patients using semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR.

MYC mRNA expression levels in primary PNET/MB showed a wide range with a 22-fold difference between the highest and lowest values and did not correlate with MYC gene amplification. MYC mRNA expression was an independent significant prognostic factor for progression-free survival outcome and was more predictive than standard clinical factors. The combination of low MYC mRNA expression and high TrkC mRNA expression identified a good outcome group of PNET/MB patients (n = 7) with 100% progression-free survival after a median follow-up time of 55 months (range, 15-91 months). Three of these seven good outcome patients survived without radiotherapy.

Low MYC mRNA expression is a powerful independent predictor of favorable clinical outcome in PNET/MB. Assessment of MYC mRNA levels is feasible and may be incorporated in prospective PNET/MB clinical trials to aid in treatment planning for patients with PNET/MB on confirmation of our results in larger studies.