MYC gene amplification reveals clinical association with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Indian patients

Background: Amplification of the MYC gene is reported to be associated with the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study is focused to analyze the correlation between MYC gene amplification and various clinicopathological features and outcome in a cohort of 49 dysplastic and 187 primary head and neck lesions. Methods: MYC gene amplification was assessed by differential polymerase chain reaction using primer sets from the MYC gene as target locus and DRD2 gene as the control locus. Result: The MYC gene amplification was detected in a total of 23.7% (56/236) head and neck lesions comprising 14.2% (7/49) dysplastic lesions and 26% (49/187) HNSCC samples. The clinicopathological association study between MYC gene amplification with the different clinical parameters like sex, tumor stage, tumor differentiation, lymph node status, tobacco habit and HPV 16/18 status determined significant association of MYC amplification with tumor progression (P = 0.009). Kaplan Meier analysis revealed MYC gene has no prognostic significance on survival in HNSCC. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results suggest that MYC gene amplification is associated with tumor progression in HNSCC.