[Function of oncogenes in neuroepithelial tumors]

The human genome contains so-called protooncogenes which can be activated to oncogenes by mutations. Oncogenes contribute to the development of tumours of the nervous system. Some of the oncogenes are related to growth factors or to cytogenetic changes in tumours. A survey is given of current research on oncogene loci in neuroepithelial tumours by recombinant DNA techniques. In neuroblastomas the amplification of the oncogene N-myc is associated with a poorer prognosis. In neuroepithelial tumours the amplification of c-erbB, which is in part homologous to the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, is restricted to malignant neoplasias. An enhanced expression of the oncogene c-sis, which codes for the platelet-derived growth factor, is found in 85% of malignant gliomas. Many studies of relatively fewer cases suggest the influence of other, further oncogenes in the group of neuroepithelial tumours.