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Oncogene alterations in endometrial carcinoma.
M P Borst1, V V Baker, D Dixon
1Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham 35294.
Gynecologic Oncology
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Amplification of the neu and c-myc oncogenes in endometrial adenocarcinomas correlates with poorer prognosis and advanced disease. These oncogene amplifications may predict aggressive tumor behavior.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The neu oncogene encodes a protein similar to the epidermal growth factor receptor, and its amplification is linked to poor prognosis in breast and ovarian cancers.
- The c-myc oncogene encodes a DNA-binding protein involved in regulating cellular proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the amplification of c-myc and c-neu oncogenes in primary endometrial adenocarcinomas.
- To determine if oncogene amplification correlates with clinical outcomes and disease characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sixteen primary endometrial adenocarcinomas for c-myc and c-neu gene amplification.
- Correlation of gene amplification status with patient survival, disease recurrence, tumor stage, and differentiation.
Main Results:
- Eleven of sixteen tumors showed c-neu amplification; four patients died of disease within 16 months.
- Ten of fifteen tumors showed c-myc amplification; five patients died of disease within 13.4 months.
- Six tumors had both c-neu and c-myc amplification, with four deaths from recurrent disease. Amplification correlated with advanced stage and poor differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Amplification of c-neu or c-myc oncogenes in endometrial adenocarcinomas is associated with advanced-stage disease and poor differentiation.
- Oncogene amplification may serve as a predictive marker for biologically aggressive endometrial adenocarcinomas.