Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
MYC gene numerical aberrations in actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
1Department of Dermatology, IMIM Hospital del Mar, Pg. 08003 Barcelona, Spain. 93828@imas.imim.es
Background:
The genetic alterations that drive the transition from actinic keratoses (AKs) to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) have not been defined precisely. Amplification and/or overexpression of the MYC proto-oncogene have been demonstrated in several human, malignant tumours including head and neck SCCs.
Objectives:
To evaluate the presence of MYC genomic aberrations in both AKs and SCCs.
Methods:
Skin biopsy specimens corresponding to AKs, SCCs and control samples were included in two paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays. MYC cytogenetic profile was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results obtained were compared with MYC immunohistochemical expression.
Results:
Twenty-three AKs and 30 SCCs were evaluated. MYC numerical aberrations were observed in eight of 23 (35%) AKs and 19 of 30 (63%) SCCs (P = 0.05). MYC numerical aberrations were more frequent in moderately to poorly differentiated SCCs (77%) when compared with well-differentiated SCCs (25%; P = 0.027). A significant association between copy number gains of MYC by FISH analysis and MYC protein expression was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
MYC gains and amplifications are frequent cytogenetic abnormalities in SCCs and may play a relevant role in promoting SCC undifferentiation and tumoral progression.
Related Concept Videos
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Mismatch Repair
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
Mismatch Repair
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

