BACKGROUND: c-MYC is a potent oncoprotein with roles in a wide range of cellular processes such as differentiation, apoptosis and growth control. Deregulation of the MYC gene is commonly seen in human tumours resulting in overexpression of the protein. Here we studied expression of c-MYC in correlation to clinical outcome in patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to identify c-MYC in a group of 104 tongue squamous cell carcinomas with an antibody directed against the N-terminal part of the protein. Staining was evaluated by multiplying the percentage of c-MYC-expressing cells with staining intensity, giving a quick score for each tumour. RESULTS: All 104 tumours expressed c-MYC at varying levels. Quantitation according to per cent of positive cells and staining intensity revealed that most (15/21; 71%) high-expressing tumours were seen in males. Within the group of high c-MYC-expressing tumours, the majority were alive 2 and 5 years after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings show that expression of c-MYC has prognostic value in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and could be useful in choice of therapy.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia Foggia Italy

Department of Clinical Sciences ENT Umeå University Umeå Sweden

Department of Medical Biosciences Pathology Umeå University Umeå Sweden

Department of Neuroscience Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences University of Naples Federico 2 Naples Italy

Dipartimento Universitario di Anatomia Patologica Seconda Universita' Degli Studi di Napoli Naples Italy

Institut de Génétique Moléculaire Hôpital St Louis Université Paris 7 Paris France

Multidisciplinary Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Specialties 2nd University of Naples Naples Italy

RECAMO Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute Brno Czech Republic

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