EXPRESSION OF β-CATENIN AND C-MYC IN THYMOMA AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH BIOLOGICAL FEATURES

Objective： β-catenin is closely associated with proliferation, differentiation, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. C-myc is proved to be abnormally expressed in various kinds of malignant neoplasmas. This study is aimed to investigate the features of β-catenin and C-myc expressions in thymoma and the corresponding clinical significance. Method： Immunochemistry was used to detect the features of expressions of β-catenin and C-myc in thymoma and normal thymus. Of the 105 samples, according to Beratz classification, there were： epithelial type 34; lymphocyte type 35; mixed type 31 and shuttle cell type 5. According to Masaoka classification, there were： stage 1： 38; stage 2： 32; stage 3：20 and stage 4： 15. According to WHO classification, there were： type A 20; type AB 19; type B1 21; type B2 17; type B3 13 and type C 15. Results： Different ways of expression was revealed in different stages of thymomas. With the progress of thymoma, the expression of β-catenin on cell membrane decreased, while increased in cytoplasma and nucleus, even with nucleus shift. The expression of C-myc increased in invasive thymoma. Abnormal expression of β-catenin and C-myc increased, with significant difference（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The different ways of expression and diversity of expression level may indicate the biological characters of thymoma, and could be used as an objective index for invasive thymoma.

Expression of β-catenin and C-myc in thymoma and the association with biological features

Objective β-catenin is closely associated with proliferation, differentiation, invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. C-myc is proved to be abnormally expressed in various kinds of malignant neoplasmas. This study is aimed to investigate the features of β-catenin and C-myc expressions in thymoma and the corresponding clinical significance. Method Immunochemistry was used to detect the features of expressions of β-catenin and C-myc in thymoma and normal thymus. Of the 105 samples, according to Beratz classification, there were: epithelial type 34; lymphocyte type 35; mixed type 31 and shuttle cell type 5. According to Masaoka classification, there were: stage 1: 38; stage 2: 32; stage 3: 20 and stage 4: 15. According to WHO classification, there were: type A 20; type AB 19; type B1 21; type B2 17; type B3 13 and type C 15. Results Different ways of expression was revealed in different stages of thymomas. With the progress of thymoma, the expression of β-catenin on cell membrane decreased, while increased in cytoplasma and nucleus, even with nucleus shift. The expression of C-myc increased in invasive thymoma. Abnormal expression of β-catenin and C-myc increased, with significant difference(P<0.05). Conclusion The different ways of expression and diversity of expression level may indicate the biological characters of thymoma, and could be used as an objective index for invasive thymoma. Biography: TAN Sheng(1971–), male, attending surgeon, The China Medical University, majors in thoracic surgery.