C‐myc in Kaposi's sarcoma: analyses by fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. (7th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feller, K.; Yang, S.; Tung, N.; Lee, J.; Mahalingam, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Volume 28:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2012-08-07
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04672.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0926-9959

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background </bold> The <italic>c‐myc</italic> proto‐oncogene plays a central role in the regulation of cellular transcription, differentiation, and apoptosis, and has been shown to be deregulated in many types of human cancer. Recent findings have demonstrated its amplification in select vascular neoplasms, such as secondary angiosarcomas, suggesting a role in angiogenesis as well. <italic>In vitro</italic> studies have shown that the c‐Myc protein is an important regulatory molecule of spindle cell proliferation and migration in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS).</p> <p> <bold>Objectives </bold> In light of these findings, our primary aim was to ascertain whether <italic>c‐myc, </italic> by promoting proliferation and angiogenesis, is an essential co‐factor in the aetiopathogenesis of KS. We also attempted to determine a correlation between immunohistochemical expression of the c‐Myc protein and <italic>c‐myc</italic> gene copy amplification using fluorescent <italic>in situ</italic> hybridization (FISH).</p> <p> <bold>Methods </bold> Samples analyzed included archival tissue of KS (<italic>n</italic> = 24). PCR for detection of Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus DNA was performed on all samples of KS. For FISH analyses, a dual‐labelled technique was employed and probes for the <italic>c‐myc</italic> gene and chromosome 8 were used. The monoclonal anti‐c‐myc antibody, 9E10, was used for immunohistochemical analyses.</p> <p> <bold>Results </bold> While FISH analyses revealed no amplification of <italic>c‐myc</italic> in any of the cases of KS, immunohistochemical analyses revealed positive staining for c‐Myc in 13/24 cases (54%).</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions </bold> Amplification of the <italic>c‐myc</italic> gene was not witnessed in this preliminary study of 24 cases and thus cannot be correlated with the expression of the c‐Myc protein.</p> </abstract>