C‐myc oncogene expression: A marker for females at risk of breast carcinoma

Abstract

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.