C-kit Protein Expression and Mutation Analysis in Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2003;19(2):158-163.
Published online November 30, 2003.

kyung Ja Cho;Jene Choi;Sang Yoon Kim;Soon Yuhl Nam;Seung Ho Choi;Sung Bae Kim

샘낭암종에서의 C-kit 단백 발현 및 돌연변이 분석

조경자;최진;김상윤;남순열;최승호;김성배

Abstract

Objectives: To document the incidence and pattern of c-kit protein expression & mutation in adenoid cystic carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five cases of adenoid cystic carcinomas of the major and minor salivary glands and the upper and lower respiratory tract were subjected to the immunohistochemical study for ckit(CD117 ; Dako). Nineteen cases of them were analyzed for mutations in exon 11 and exon 17 by PCR-SSCP, and in cases of need, by DNA sequencing.
Results
Twenty-three cases (92%) showed c-kit expression, but none showed mutations in exon 11 and exon 17. The expression was restricted to the inner luminal cells in all tubular types and most of cribriform adenoid cystic carcinomas, while the staining was diffuse in all solid variants and two cribriform types.
Conclusion
C-kit expression was common in adenoid cystic carcinomas, regardless of their origins. Although genetic bases await further studies, a clinical trial of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in adenoid cystic carcinomas, especially in solid variants, is considered encouraging.

Key Words: C-kit 단백, Carcinoma, adenoid cystic, Salivary glands, C-kit protein, Immunohistochemistry, Mutation