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MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma: A paradigm for the clinical use of an oncogene

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Pathology & Oncology Research

Abstract

Increase of the dosage of cellular oncogenes by DNA amplification is a frequent genetic alteration of cancer cells. The presence of amplified cellular oncogenes is usually signalled by conspicuous chromosomal abnormalities, “double minutes” (DMs) or “homogeneously staining chromsomal regions” (HSRs). Some human cancers carry a specific amplified oncogene at high incidence. In neuroblastomas the amplification of MYCN has been found associated with aggressively growing cancers and is an indicator for poor prognosis. MYCN amplification is of predictive value for identifying neuroblastoma patiens that require specific therapeutic regimens and for identifying patients that will not benefit from chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cytogenetics - 0825, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Manfred Schwab

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  1. Manfred Schwab
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Correspondence to Manfred Schwab.

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This has been a lecture presented on a Tempus-course (S-JEP 11198–96) “Harmonization of Ph. D. degree to EU standards”

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Schwab, M. MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma: A paradigm for the clinical use of an oncogene. Pathol. Oncol. Res. 3, 3–7 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02893344

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02893344

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