ORIGINAL ARTICLE

c-myc Amplifications in primary breast carcinomas and their local recurrences

S Aulmann¹, N Adler¹, J Rom², B Helmchen¹, P Schirmacher¹ and H P Sinn¹

¹ Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
² Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S Aulmann
Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 220/221, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; sebastian_aulmann{at}med.uni-heidelberg.de

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.

Abbreviations: FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridisation; IRS, immunoreactivity scores; UICC, International Union against Cancer

Keywords: breast cancer; c-myc; fluorescence in situ hybridisation

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