I. Sardi et al., MOLECULAR-GENETIC ALTERATIONS OF C-MYC ONCOGENE IN SUPERFICIAL AND LOCALLY ADVANCED BLADDER-CANCER, European urology, 33(4), 1998, pp. 424-430
Objective: Gene activation and altered expression of cellular proto-on
cogene are important mechanisms implicated in initiation and developme
nt processes of human cancer. It has already been shown that c-myc onc
ogene is implicated in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis an
d differentiation. Methods: We have determined the methylation status,
the presence of genetic amplification and the presence of m-RNA overe
xpression of c-myc gene in 31 samples from patients with bladder carci
nomas, Results: Our data demonstrated the presence of c-myc gene ampli
fication only in 5 of 15 superficial bladder carcinomas (p < 0.05). On
the other hand, we did not find statistical significant correlation b
etween the methylation, expression of c-myc gene and the clinical-hist
opathological parameters. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was fou
nd between the methylation pattern and m-RNA overexpression of c-myc o
ncogene. Conclusion: We demonstrate aberrant c-myc gene status in huma
n bladder cancer. This oncogene is altered at different levels in blad
der carcinoma genesis and progression.