Merkel cell carcinoma : evaluation of KIT (CD117) expression and failure to demonstrate activating mutations in the C-KIT proto-oncogene -implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate

Brian L SWICK; Larisa RAVDEL; James E FITZPATRICK; William A ROBINSON

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0560.2006.00613.x

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Merkel cell carcinoma : evaluation of KIT (CD117) expression and failure to demonstrate activating mutations in the C-KIT proto-oncogene -implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate

Journal article

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Merkel cell carcinoma : evaluation of KIT (CD117) expression and failure to demonstrate activating mutations in the C-KIT proto-oncogene -implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate

Brian L SWICK, Larisa RAVDEL, James E FITZPATRICK and William A ROBINSON

Journal of cutaneous pathology, Vol.34(4), pp.324-329

2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2006.00613.x

PMID: 17381803

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Abstract

Background: Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) express the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT. However, it is not known if MCCs have activating mutations in KIT that would make them responsive to treatment with imatinib mesylate. The purpose of this article is to describe the KIT immunohistological staining pattern (CD117) of MCCs and analyze those MCCs for mutations in areas of KIT where mutations are found in gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors. Methods: We evaluated KIT immunostaining in nine MCCs from nine patients. In addition, we extracted DNA from the same MCCs, performed PCR amplification of C-KIT exons 9, 11, 13, and 17, and sequenced those gene products for mutations. Results: Eight of nine (88.8%) MCCs expressed KIT. No mutations were found. Conclusions: The majority of MCCs express KIT but do not contain activating mutations in exons 9, 11, 13, or 17 of KIT. Imatinib mesylate is unlikely to provide effective therapy in MCC unless activating mutations in other areas of KIT or activating mutations in other related genes can be detected.

Dermatology

Biological and medical sciences

Medical sciences

Details

Title: Subtitle: Merkel cell carcinoma : evaluation of KIT (CD117) expression and failure to demonstrate activating mutations in the C-KIT proto-oncogene -implications for treatment with imatinib mesylate
Creators: Brian L SWICK - Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO, United States
Larisa RAVDEL - Department of Medicine/Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO, United States
James E FITZPATRICK - Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO, United States
William A ROBINSON - Department of Medicine/Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, CO, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of cutaneous pathology, Vol.34(4), pp.324-329
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2006.00613.x
PMID: 17381803
NLM abbreviation: J Cutan Pathol
ISSN: 0303-6987
eISSN: 1600-0560
Publisher: Blackwell; Oxford
Language: English
Date published: 2007
Academic Unit: Dermatology; Pathology
Record Identifier: 9984025593602771

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