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N-myc Expression in Neoplasia of Human Thyroid C-Cells¹

CRC Thyroid Tumor Biology Research Group, Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, United Kingdom

In view of the frequent reports of the increased expression of myc oncogenes in several neuroendocrine tumor types, we have investigated c- and N-myc expression in human medullary carcinoma, a malignant tumor derived from the neuroendocrine "C"-cell subpopulation of the thyroid gland. In situ nucleic acid hybridization was used to permit analysis not only of tumors but also of normal C-cells which form a tiny, scattered, minority of the thyroid epithelial cell population.

N-myc expression was readily demonstrable in 6 of 21 tumor samples and c-myc in one case, whereas neither N- nor c-myc mRNA was ever detected in normal C-cells. We conclude that N-myc expression is a specific feature of C-cell tumors and is not merely a differentiation marker of their cell of origin. The data therefore strengthen the hypothesis that myc oncogene activation plays a role in neuroendocrine neoplasia.

¹ Supported by a grant from the Cancer Research Campaign.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 2/ 1/88. Revised 4/19/88. Accepted 4/20/88.