MYCN gene amplification in patients with neuroblastic tumors.

Abstract

Although neuroblastic tumors are the most prevalent solid tumors, little is known about the genetic basis underlying their progression. The prognostic role for the MYCN gene in neuroblastic tumors is irrefutable. The aim of this study is to identify the frequency of MYCN gene amplification and its relationship with clinicopathological and prognostic factors in 40 patients with neuroblastic tumors by using real-time quantitative PCR. There was significant association between the age of older than 18 months and the high number of metastasis. 83.3% of metastatic neuroblastic tumors in patients aged more than 18 months were in stage 4, while it was about 12.5% in patients aged less than 18 months. We found an amplification of MYCN in 19 out of 40 patients. Also, we found MYCN gene amplification in 64% of neuroblastoma (NB) and 8% of gangelioneuroblastoma (GNB) cases. There was a significant association between the histological type of samples with MYCN gene amplification. Neuroblastic tumors have a varied range of MYCN gene amplification depend on histopathology types. No significant associations have been found between MYCN gene amplification and tumor evaluation, CNS involvement, metastasis, stage of disease and patients outcome.