Inhibition of MYC/MAX dimerization by a small-molecule antagonist (IIA6B17) has 
been shown to interfere with MYC-induced transformation of chick embryo 
fibroblasts, suggesting that the functional inhibitors of the MYC family of 
oncoproteins have potential as therapeutic agents. In the present study, a 
functional MYC reporter gene assay has been developed, using a luciferase gene 
construct under the control of the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene promoter. 
This luciferase gene construct has been stably transfected into the MYCN 
amplified neuroblastoma cell line (NGP) and MYCC-overexpressed neuroepithelioma 
cell line (NB100). After exposure of the cell lines to IIA6B17 for 24 h, a 
significant reduction of luciferase activity was only observed in the NB100 
cells, with IC50 values of approximately 28+/-9 microM, indicating that IIA6B17 
has cell line-specific activity which may be selective for individual members of 
the MYC family.