Chromosomal imbalances, 11q21 rearrangement and MECT1-MAML2 fusion transcript in mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland

Oncol Rep. 2009 Aug;22(2):305-11.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine genetic alterations in mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland in association with clinical and histopathological parameters. Nineteen formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors were analysed by using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on interphase nuclei and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of MECT1-MAML2 fusion transcript. The CGH analysis showed an overrepresentation of chromosome X and losses of entire chromosomes or regions on chromosome 1, 2, and 15 as the most frequent copy number changes. In 37% of the analysed tumors a MAML2-rearrangement by interphase FISH was detected, whereas 58% of the samples showed expression of MECT1-MAML2 fusion transcript. We conclude that the presence of MAML2-rearrangement as well as of MECT1-MAML2 fusion transcript may reflect a more favourable prognosis and may be a useful marker for clinical prediction of the biological behavior of these tumors as previously reported.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / genetics*
  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / genetics*

Substances

  • MECT1-MAML2 fusion protein, human
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA, Messenger