C-myc amplifications in primary breast carcinomas and their local recurrences

S Aulmann, N Adler, J Rom, B Helmchen… - Journal of clinical …, 2006 - jcp.bmj.com
S Aulmann, N Adler, J Rom, B Helmchen, P Schirmacher, HP Sinn
Journal of clinical pathology, 2006jcp.bmj.com
Objective: To evaluate the role of c-myc oncogene amplifications in the progression of
invasive breast carcinomas. Methods: c-myc gene copy number was evaluated in a series of
49 primary breast carcinomas and the corresponding local recurrences using fluorescence
in situ hybridisation. Results: 11 of the primary carcinomas (22%) harboured c-myc
amplifications; these tumours typically were hormone receptor negative and occurred in
younger patients (43 v 53 years). At the time of relapse, six additional tumours had acquired …
Objective: To evaluate the role of c-myc oncogene amplifications in the progression of invasive breast carcinomas.
Methods: c-myc gene copy number was evaluated in a series of 49 primary breast carcinomas and the corresponding local recurrences using fluorescence in situ hybridisation.
Results: 11 of the primary carcinomas (22%) harboured c-myc amplifications; these tumours typically were hormone receptor negative and occurred in younger patients (43 v 53 years). At the time of relapse, six additional tumours had acquired a c-myc amplification. The mean recurrence-free survival was 24 months; c-myc amplified tumours relapsed significantly earlier than carcinomas without amplification (18 v 27 months). Univariate analysis showed a worse overall survival in these patients.
Conclusions: While c-myc amplifications can be observed in early stage breast cancer, especially in younger patients, they often occur later in tumour development and appear to be associated with disease progression.
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