Molecular Diagnostics

British Journal of Cancer (2007) 96, 474–476. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603586 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 16 January 2007

Interleukin-6 gene amplification and shortened survival in glioblastoma patients

A Tchirkov1,2,3, T Khalil1,4, E Chautard1, K Mokhtari5, L Véronèse1,2, B Irthum4, P Vago2, J-L Kémény6 and P Verrelle1,3

  1. 1EA 3846, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63001, France
  2. 2Service de Cytogénétique Médicale, UFR Médecine, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63001, France
  3. 3Departement de Radiothérapie, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63011, France
  4. 4Services de Neurochirurgie, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63001, France
  5. 5Laboratoire de Neuropathologie, Groupe hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, F-75013, France
  6. 6Laboratoire d'Anatomie Pathologique, CHU, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63001, France

Correspondence: Dr A Tchirkov, EA 3846, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, F-63001, France. E-mail: andrei.tchirkov@cjp.fr

Received 6 October 2006; Revised 14 December 2006; Accepted 14 December 2006; Published online 16 January 2007.

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Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to promote tumour growth and survival. We evaluated IL-6 gene amplification in tumours from 53 glioma patients using fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Amplification events were detected only in glioblastomas (15 out of 36 cases), the most malignant tumours, and were significantly associated with decreased patient survival.

Keywords:

IL-6 gene, glioblastoma multiforme, amplification, prognosis