c-Myc protein expression is not an independent prognostic predictor in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

The c-myc protein is known to regulate the cell cycle, and its downregulation can lead to cell death by apoptosis. The role of c-myc protein as an independent prognostic determinant in cervical cancer is controversial. In the present study, a cohort of 220 Brazilian women (mean age 53.4 years) with FIGO stage I, II and III (21, 28 and 51%, respectively) cervical squamous cell carcinomas was analyzed for c-myc protein expression using immunohistochemistry. The diseasefree survival and relapse-rate were analyzed using univariate (KaplanMeier) survival analysis for 116 women who completed the standard FIGO treatment and were followed up for 5 years. Positive c-myc staining was detected in 40% of carcinomas, 29% being grade 1, 9% grade 2, and 2% grade 3. The distribution of positive c-myc according to FIGO stage was 19% (17 women) in stage I, 33% (29) in stage II, and 48% (43) in stage III of disease. During the 60-month follow-up, disease-free survival in univariate (Kaplan-Meier) survival analysis (116 women) was lower for women with c-myc-positive tumors, i.e., 60.5, 47.5 and 36.6% at 12, 36, and 60 months, respectively (not significant). The present data suggest that immunohistochemical demonstration of c-myc does not possess any prognostic value independent of FIGO stage, and as such is unlikely to be a useful prognostic marker in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Correspondence

Expression of the c-myc oncogene and the presence of HPV 18: possible surrogate markers for cervical cancer?

“…One possible cause is hypoxia as a consequence of fibroid disease in patients undergoing hysterectomy. Similar findings were reported by Brenna et al, 11 who reported an incidence of 40% in their cohort; however, the incidence of mutations can vary. Zhang et al 22 reported an incidence of 25% in their study.…”

“…21 When down-regulated, C-myc protein, which is responsible for cell-cycle regulation, can lead to programmed cell death through apoptosis. 11 Mutation in the c-myc oncogene can be used as predictor for cervical cancer. However, using c-myc as the sole marker for the diagnosis of cervical cancer can be controversial.…”

“…10 The c-myc oncogene found on chromosome 8 at locus 8q24 is responsible for cell-cycle regulation, and its downregulation can lead to programmed cell death through apoptosis. 11 Up-regulation in the c-myc region has been observed in several cancers and is thought to be a predicator for cervical cancer. Expression level is usually low in normal growing cells, but may be increased in a variety of cancers including cervical cancer.…”

Co-overexpression of bcl-2 and c-myc in uterine cervix carcinomas and premalignant lesions

“…13,14 Moreover, it has been shown in experimental tumor systems that increased expression of bcl-2 and c-myc can cooperate in tumorigenesis. 14,15 …”

Comments on the paper "c-erbB-2 expression and nuclear pleomorphism in canine mammary tumors"

“…Categorizing variables that are measured on a continuum is a frequently used procedure in medicine, especially in surgical pathology. By looking, for instance, at recently published issues of this Journal, we can see considerable variation in the scoring systems applied in histopathology, not only between different groups but also within the same laboratory (1,(3)(4)(5)(6).…”