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Amplification of cellular oncogenes: A predictor of clinical outcome in human cancer
Manfred Schwab,
Lukas C. Amler,
Corresponding Author
Manfred Schwab
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRGSearch for more papers by this authorLukas C. Amler
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany
Search for more papers by this authorManfred Schwab,
Lukas C. Amler,
Corresponding Author
Manfred Schwab
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-6900 Heidelberg, FRGSearch for more papers by this authorLukas C. Amler
German Cancer Research Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Increased dosage of cellular oncogenes resulting from amplification of DNA is a frequent genetic abnormality of tumor cells and the study of oncogene amplification has been paradigmatic for the usefulness of molecular genetic research in clinical oncology. Certain types of human tumors carry an amplified cellular oncogene at frequencies of up to 50–60%. Human neuroblastoma has been prototypic for the importance of oncogene amplification in tumorigenesis, and evidence is emerging that amplification may be an early event involved in a more malignant form of this cancer. It is unclear at which stage amplification plays a role in other cancers. Amplification of cellular oncogenes is a good predictor of clinical outcome in some human malignancies.
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