c-myc oncogene expression and cell proliferation in mixed oligo-astrocytoma

Mixed gliomas (oligo-astrocytomas) are brain tumours with an admixture of 2 different cell populations: astrocytes and oligodendroglia. On the basis of histological features and behaviour, these tumours are classified as low-grade mixed gliomas (MG) and malignant mixed gliomas (MMG). We have studied the relationship between c-myc protein expression and cellular proliferation in this class of tumours. Using antibody c-33 for c-myc and PC-10 for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), immunohistochemistry was performed on 14 MG and 9 MMG. PCNA was increased in MMG as compared to MG in both astrocytic and oligodendroglial areas. However, more c-myc-positive cells were seen only in the astrocyte areas of MMG. Analysis of the relationship of c-myc and PCNA suggests that the correlation of c-myc with cellular proliferation is dependent on tissue type and differentiation status.