A fluorescent in situ hybridization for mycn (2p24) amplification in neuroblastoma

Abstract

Neuroblastoma originates from neural crest precursors in the adrenal medulla, the sympathetic ganglia in the neck, mediastinum, retroperitoneum, or pelvis. It is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor and the most common neoplasm among infants. The expression and degree of amplification of the MYCN oncogene in neuroblastoma is significantly correlated with poor prognosis. In this research, we investigate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on detection of MYCN (2p24) amplification in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded and single-cell suspension sample of 10 neuroblastoma pediatric tumors (stage IV) in which, FISH technique identified MYCN amplification in 1 case of total number patients. The results indicate that FISH is a rapid and reliable method for detection of MYCN oncogene amplification in routinely processed samples, thus facilitating therapeutic decisions based on the presence or absence of this prognostically important biologic marker. Key words: neuroblastoma, MYCN amplification, fluorescence in situ hybridization.