Neuroblastoma: inverse relationship between expression of N-myc and NGF-r

12 primary neuroblastomas (NB) of different maturation stages, 2 ganglioneuromas (GN), and 2 neuroblastoma cell lines were analysed for RNA expression of the protooncogene N-myc and the gene encoding the nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-r) by Northern-blots, RNA-dot-blots and for receptor presence by immunohistological procedures. In 4 tumors with strongly elevated RNA expression of N-myc the NGF-r RNA expression was weak or absent. In all 8 tumors with highly increased NGF-r transcription no N-myc expression was detectable. These results, indicating an inverse relationship between N-myc and NGF-r expression, could help in establishing markers for differentiation, and thus prognosis, in neuroblastoma.