Abstract |
The chromosomal translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14) has been reported in alveolar paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma. The rearrangement leads to the juxtaposition of the PAX-3 and FORKHEAD genes and the production of a fusion protein with putative transcriptional regulatory activity. The diagnostic potential of this translocation has been examined using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect translocations in both fresh-frozen and archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded rhabdomyosarcoma. A total of 25 tumours and one cell line were examined. PAX-3-FORKHEAD chimeric mRNAs were amplified by PCR in 8 of 15 cases of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Translocations were detectable in both fresh-frozen tissues (4 of 7) and paraffin-embedded tumours (3 of 7) and in the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cell line. Our study confirms that the t(2;13) translocation is not present in embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas, but can be detected in nearly half of alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas, whether fresh-frozen or paraffin-embedded. The PCR-based t(2;13) translocation assay can aid in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma, but cannot replace a careful histopathological evaluation. It may contribute in further characterizing an otherwise undifferentiated small cell tumour, where it may be indicative of clinical behaviour.
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Authors | C Reichmuth, M A Markus, M Hillemanns, M J Atkinson, K K Unni, G Saretzki, H Höfler |
Journal | The Journal of pathology
(J Pathol)
Vol. 180
Issue 1
Pg. 50-7
(Sep 1996)
ISSN: 0022-3417 [Print] England |
PMID | 8943815
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Blotting, Southern
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 13
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2
- Cryopreservation
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Humans
- Paraffin Embedding
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar
(diagnosis, genetics)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal
(diagnosis, genetics)
- Translocation, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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