Does radiation-induced c-MYC amplification initiate breast oncogenesis?

The MYC (v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog; c-MYC) locus on chromosome 8q is susceptible to high-level amplification following exposure of human breast cells to ionizing radiation, and c-MYC amplification is a common feature of both radiogenic adenocarcinoma and radiogenic angiosarcoma of the breast. Taken together, these observations suggest common breast-specific susceptibility factors that predispose cells to amplification of this critical proto-oncogene and the development of radiogenic cancer in multiple tissue types of this radiosensitive organ.