Differential Protooncogene Expression Characterizes Histopathologically Indistinguishable Tumors of the Peripheral Nervous System

摘要

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a tumor of the peripheral nervous system that is thought to arise in primitive cells derived from the embryonal neural crest. 50% of advanced stage neuroblastoma tumor tissues have been found to have variable levels of amplification of the N-myc gene, and it has been suggested that amplification and expression of this gene is associated with rapid clinical progression of this highly malignant neoplasm. The authors recognized a subgroup of NB tumors that are characterized by a specific chromosomal rearrangement, t(11;22) (q24;q12). The authors have found highly predictable patterns of protooncogene expression in cell lines and tumor tissue of neuroblastoma. These patterns make it possible to recognize two different genetically definable subgroups among histopathologically indistinguishable tumors. Additionally, we have identified a difference in neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzyme activity in these two subgroups of NB. The patterns of protooncogene expression and neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes suggests that these tumors arise in different cells of the PNS. Reprints. (AW)