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Prognostic relevance of C‐ myc gene expression in giant‐cell tumor of bone
Author(s) -
Gamberi Gabriella,
Benassi M. Serena,
Böhling Tom,
Ragazzini Paola,
Molendini Lara,
Sollazo M. Rosa,
Merli Mara,
Ferrari Cristina,
Magagnoli Giovanna,
Bertoni Franco,
Picci Piero
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100160102
Subject(s) - carcinogenesis , immunohistochemistry , oncogene , metastasis , cancer research , giant cell tumor of bone , in situ hybridization , biology , pathology , giant cell , western blot , lung , cell , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , primary tumor , tumor progression , messenger rna , gene , medicine , cancer , cell cycle , biochemistry , genetics
Giant‐cell tumor is a primary bone tumor, of uncertain origin, with the potential capacity to metastasize. To study the role of c‐ myc and c‐ fos oncogene overexpression in the tumorigenesis and metastatic spread of giant‐cell tumors. 32 primary tumors were collected: of these. 19 remained disease‐free and 13 metastasized to the lung. Samples of lung metastasis from these 13 patients were also available for study. The expression of c‐ myc and c‐ fos mRNA was studied by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and by in situ hybridization. The expression of protein was studied by Western blot analysis and by immunohistochemistry. C‐ myc mRNA was overexpressed in 12 (38%) of the 32 primary tumors. Thirteen primary tumors metastasized to the lung: in nine (69%) of these. c‐ myc mRNA was overexpressed. The c‐ myc protein was overexpressed in seven (54%) of the 13 tumors that metastasized to the lung. C‐ fos was overexpressed in only one lung metastasis. A strong correlation between the overexpression of c‐ myc and the occurrence of metastases was found: thus, c‐ myc seems a powerful prognosticator in giant‐cell tumor. C‐ myc was overexpressed both in giant cells and in mononuclear cells, suggesting that both cell types are involved in the progression of this tumor.