Molecular genetic alterations of c-myc oncogene in superficial and locally advanced bladder cancer.

Abstract

Gene activation and altered expression of cellular proto-oncogene are important mechanisms implicated in initiation and development processes of human cancer. It has already been shown that c-myc oncogene is implicated in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. We have determined the methylation status, the presence of genetic amplification and the presence of m-RNA overexpression of c-myc gene in 31 samples from patients with bladder carcinomas. Our data demonstrated the presence of c-myc gene amplification only in 5 of 15 superficial bladder carcinomas (p < 0.05). On the other hand, we did not find statistical significant correlation between the methylation, expression of c-myc gene and the clinical-histopathological parameters. A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between the methylation pattern and m-RNA overexpression of c-myc oncogene. We demonstrate aberrant c-myc gene status in human bladder cancer. This oncogene is altered at different levels in bladder carcinoma genesis and progression.