Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of c-myc amplification in stage T3N0M0 prostate cancer in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE: Genetic aberration such as the amplification of c-myc has been commonly found in advanced prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to elucidate chromosome 8 alteration, including a gain and amplification of 8q24 (c-myc gene), related to the progression and survival in advanced (Stage C) prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used dual-probe fluorescence in situ hybridization with a centromere-specific probe for chromosome 8 (8cen), and with a region-specific probe for c-myc (8q24) to evaluate genetic changes in tumor samples from 50 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy from 1986 to 2001. RESULTS: We classified the 8cen and c-myc copy numbers as normal, gain and amplification. The carcinoma foci with extra copies of c-myc, which was defined in 35 cases (70%), were divided into two groups: (a) a simple gain of the whole chromosome 8 (no increase in the c-myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was identified in 15 cases (30%); and (b) a substantial amplification of c-myc (additional increases [AI] in the c-myc copy number relative to the chromosome 8 centromere), which was detected in 20 cases (40%). AI-c-myc was strongly associated with higher histopathological grades and Gleason's scores (P = 0.0330, 0.0190, respectively). Patients with the AI-c-myc had earlier disease progression (P = 0.0029) and earlier cancer death (P = 0.0087) than did patients with normal patterns. CONCLUSION: Identification of an AI-c-myc may serve as a potential marker of prostate cancer progression.     

Dysplasia of the Uterine Cervix

In order to evaluate the significance of dysplasia lesions ofthe uterine cervix, 6,587 cervical biopsies in the five yearsfrom 1974 to 1978 were reviewed. The average age at the timeof diagnosis was: dysplasia, 44.4 years; carcinoma in situ,48.7 years; microinvasive carcinoma, 50.9 years; invasive carcinoma,56.6 years. This group consisted of 653 cases of dysplasia,194 of carcinoma in situ, 75 of microinvasive carcinoma, and536 of invasive carcinoma. On the basis of follow-up studiesof 166 dysplasia patients, the lesions of nine (5.4%) of thesepatients progressed to in situ carcinoma. These nine patientswere kept under observation for periods varying between 12 and41 months. These findings, in addition to the similar distributionof dysplasia and carcinoma in situ on the cervix, suggest thatdysplasia is a stepping stone to carcinoma.     

Frequency of steroid sulfatase deficiency in Hiroshima

A retrospective survey was performed between 1983 and 1995 to determine the frequency of steroid sulfatase (STS) deficiency in Hiroshima. Males with ichthyosis were diagnosed enzymatically. During1979–95 in Hiroshima Prefecture, 275 943 males were born and 28 had STS deficiency. The observed frequency of STS deficiency was 1 per 9855 males. Therefore, STS deficiency is fairly prevalent in Japan.