Chromosomal abnormalities in liver cell dysplasia detected by comparative genomic hybridisation.
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenetic relation between liver cell dysplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a genetic link between liver cell dysplasia and HCC that could support the role of dysplasia as a tumour precursor lesion.


METHODS
Microdissection from paraffin wax embedded sections and degenerate oligonucleotide primed polymerase chain reaction (DOP-PCR) were combined to analyse chromosomal imbalances by comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) in nine HCCs and nodules containing liver cell dysplasia and cirrhosis adjacent to the tumours. Seven cases of large cell changes (LCC) and three cases of small cell changes (SCC) were analysed. The genetic abnormalities detected in liver cell dysplasia were then compared with those present in the corresponding HCC.


RESULTS
No abnormalities were detected in LCC and cirrhotic nodules, arguing against the preneoplasic nature of these cell foci. In contrast, a subset of chromosomal alterations present in HCCs was found in the adjacent SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the preneoplastic status of SCC in human hepatocarcinogenesis.
Marchio
A
A
Unité de Recombinaison et Expression Génétique, INSERM U163, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris, France. amarchio@pasteur.fr
Terris
B
B
Meddeb
M
M
Pineau
P
P
Duverger
A
A
Tiollais
P
P
Bernheim
A
A
Dejean
A
A
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000235:genetics; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics*