c-myc Amplifications in primary breast carcinomas and their local recurrences
- 1Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- 2Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg
- 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
- Accepted 7 November 2005
- Published Online First 23 February 2006
Abstract
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.
- FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridisation
- IRS, immunoreactivity scores
- UICC, International Union against Cancer
