Molecular cytogenetic analysis of non-small cell lung carcinoma, by comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping

grantor: University of TorontoComparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) was used to screen 22 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines and primary tumors. All chromosomes were involved in imbalance. Gains of DNA were much more frequent than losses. The most frequently gained chromosome arms were 5p (73%), 8q (68%), 15q (50%), 1q (45%), 20q (45%), 3q, 11q and 19q (36%). DNA losses were found in chromosome 9 (36%), 18q (36%), 6q (27%), 5q12-32, 13q and 19p (18%). High copy number amplifications were found on 2p23-24, 3q24-27, 5p, 6cen-p21.1, 6q26, 7p21, 7q31, 8q, 11q13-qter, 20q12-13.2. Seventy one percent of the cell lines showed an overrepresentation of 8q in their CGH profile, with four cases showing amplification in the 8q24 region. 'MYC' aneuploidy was observed in NSCLC cell lines by FISH analysis. In most of the cell lines, only low level 'MYC' amplification was detected. Detected 'MYC ' signals not only localized to normal chromosome 8, but also increased in copy number by translocation to various marker chromosomes. Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) was performed in two cell lines where G-banded analysis was also available. SKY was able to provide additional cytogenetic information on chromosomal translocations, identification of marker chromosomes and characterization of complex structural rearrangements that could not be identified by conventional banding.M.Sc