C-MYC ONCOGENE EXPRESSION - A MARKER FOR FEMALES AT RISK OF BREAST-CARCINOMA

In an attempt to identify patients at risk of breast cancer, 9E 10 c-myc monoclonal antibody was used to detect the oncogene products in 64 breast tissue biopsies. There were 44 specimens of benign breast disorders: 21 from patients who developed subsequent breast cancer, and 23 from patients who did not. The remainder were malignant tumor biopsies from those who developed breast cancer. C-myc over-expression was identified in 12 (60%) of the breast carcinomas; it was also noted in 13 (62%) of the benign biopsies from patients who developed subsequent breast carcinoma. Expression was observed in only 3 (13%) controls-patients who did not develop cancer. A prospective study is now warranted to determine the clinical usefulness of our findings. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.