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In most cases, oncogene amplification are prognostic and predictive markers for various tumors, therefore DNA probes are unable to reveal changes in the copy numbers should not be used to diagnose malignant tumors., Objective: To comparatively analyze DNA probes from different manufacturers to detect MYC gene amplification in routine practice., Material and Methods: The study material was formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded medulloblastoma fragments from 4 patients, with discrepancies in the results in the detection of MYC gene amplification., Results: MYC gene amplification was determined using DNA probes: Kreatech MYC (8q24)/SE 8, Vysis LSI MYC SO, Vysis CEP 8 (D8Z2) SG, and Zytolight SPEC MYC/CEN 8 Dual Color Probe. The use of the probes Kreatech TERC (3q26)/MYC (8q24)/SE7 Triple-Color probe failed to detect MYC gene amplification; this probe showed a balanced profile of chromosome 8., Conclusion: In routine practice, fluorescence in situ hybridization with the DNA probes Kreatech MYC (8q24)/SE 8, Vysis LSI MYC SO, Vysis CEP 8 (D8Z2) SG and Zytolight SPEC MYC/CEN 8 Dual Color Probe can be the method of choice for studying the copy number of the MYC gene. However, the authors strongly recommend that the Kreatech TERC (3q26)/MYC (8q24)/SE7 Triple-Color should not be used for this purpose. In addition, probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization must be necessarily tested in large reference laboratories dealing with one or another area of oncopathology.

We present a series of 51 medulloblastoma in children under three years, collected in N.N. Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute from 2000 to 2010. 57% of the tumors showed desmoplastic/nodular histology. Performed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed the MYC oncogene amplification in 4%, the MYCN oncogene amplification - in 8%, isochromosome 17q - in 16% of cases. 9q deletion was found in 8% of desmoplastic/ nodular medulloblastomas. Our results showed that desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastoma has a positive predictive value for progression-free survival. Another feature of a biology of medulloblastomas in children younger than three years is the lack of nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin, and 6q deletion. Medulloblastomas with MYCN oncogene amplification often exhibit desmoplastic/nodular histology and a relatively favorable outcome. The most unfavorable prognostic marker is the MYC oncogene amplification, which in our series of 100% combined with the large cell/anaplastic medulloblastoma and isochromosome 17q - such tumors should be included in the "high risk" protocol.

Medulloblastoma is a heterogeneous disease with molecular variants and distinct biological behavior. Studying molecular abnormalities in medulloblastomas will allow to stratify patients into key populations and optimize aduvant therapy reducing long-term adverse effects.

The cytogenetic profile of chromosome 17 was studied in 180 medlloblastomas by the interphasic FISH technique, which revealed the high incidence of this aberration and its association with the poor clinical course of the disease. The interphasic cytogenetic analysis of chromosome 17 abnormalities in medulloblastoma biopsy specimens may be recommended for its inclusion into a complex of laboratory diagnostic methods used in the examination of these tumors.