Abstract

OBJECTIVE

C-kit protein is a member of the type III receptor tyrosine kinase family. Although c-kit is believed to have a pathogenetic role in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), it is expressed by several other tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate c-kit expression in pediatric tumors.

METHODS

C-kit expression was retrospectively evaluated by immunohistochemical method in 205 pediatric tumors. A 2 test was used to analyze the c-kit expression in different tumor groups.

RESULTS

Expression of c-kit is demonstrated in 9.8 % of our pediatric tumor cases. c-kit is most expressed in Wilms tumor (in 9 cases of 32). Three of the 26 rhabdomyosarcoma cases are positive for c-kit. In three cases of 7 hepatoblastoma, two cases of three inflamatory fibrous tumor, in one of the two nasopharingeal carcinoma, in an epitheloid sarcoma, in a hepatocelluary carcinoma and in a case of pancreatic pseudopapillary tumor c-kit was positive.

CONCLUSION

Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, hepatoblastoma, and nasopharingeal carcinomas of which express c-kit may represent suitable targets for new therapeutic agents in pediatric tumors.