Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

08:16
Comparative Lesions Analysis Through a Targeted Sequencing Approach
Published on: November 5, 2019
Oncogene alterations in primary, recurrent, and metastatic human bone tumors
F Pompetti1, P Rizzo, R M Simon
1Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|October 1, 1996
Summary
This study analyzed genetic alterations in common bone tumors. Osteosarcomas showed alterations in RB, p53, c-myc, N-myc, and c-fos, with c-fos linked to advanced disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Osteosarcoma, giant cell tumor, and chondrosarcoma are common bone malignancies.
- Understanding genetic alterations is crucial for diagnosing and treating bone tumors.
- Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play key roles in cancer development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and expression of oncogenes in human bone tumors.
- To identify genetic alterations associated with osteosarcoma, giant cell tumor, and chondrosarcoma.
- To correlate specific oncogene alterations with disease characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene structure and expression in tumor samples.
- Detection of alterations in specific oncogenes (c-myc, N-myc, c-fos, Ras) and tumor suppressor genes (RB, p53).
- Statistical analysis to correlate genetic findings with clinical data.
Main Results:
- RB and p53 alterations were specific to osteosarcomas.
- c-myc, N-myc, and c-fos alterations were found in osteosarcomas and giant cell tumors.
- Ras alterations were infrequent across all tumor types.
- Chondrosarcomas showed no detectable genetic alterations.
- c-fos alterations correlated with recurrent or metastatic osteosarcoma.
Conclusions:
- Osteosarcomas exhibit alterations in c-myc, N-myc, and c-fos oncogenes, alongside RB and p53 tumor suppressor genes.
- c-fos alterations may serve as a biomarker for aggressive osteosarcoma.
- Chondrosarcomas appear genetically distinct with no detectable oncogene or tumor suppressor gene alterations in this study.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

