Comparative study of primary and recurrent ovarian serous carcinomas: comparative genomic hybridization analysis with a potential application for prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to comparatively characterize genomic imbalances in primary and recurrent ovarian serous carcinomas and to identify genomic alterations that may be used as a marker for prognosis.


METHODS
Twenty ovarian serous carcinomas were studied by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH).


RESULTS
Genomic alterations were found in all of the tumors. The most common regions involving gain of DNA copy numbers are 1q41q44, 8q22q24, 19p12q13.1, 20q12q13, 3q26q29, 12p12p13, 2p22p25, 7p14p21, 5p15.2p15.3, and 17q22q25. The most common regions with loss of DNA copy numbers are Xp11.2q13, 4q31q35, Xp21p22.3, 18q22q23, 13q22q31, 9p22p24, and 16q22q24. High-level gains were detected at chromosomal regions of 1q41q44, 2p22p25, 3q26q29, and 19p12q13.1. Comparative analysis of primary and recurrent tumors showed that gains of 2p22p25, 19p12q13.1, and 20q12q13 and loss of 5q14q22 were more common in the recurrent high-grade tumors. About 85% of the tumors showed increases in DNA copy numbers in the regions (2p and 8q) harboring the myc family gene. Patients with tumor containing fewer than seven chromosomal aberrations showed longer survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
The myc oncogene family may play a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian serous carcinomas. Our study suggests that tumors with gains of 2p22p25, 19p12q13.1, and 20q12q13 and loss of 5q14q22 may be at high risk for recurrence. Furthermore, the patients' survival time inversely correlates with the numbers of chromosomal alterations found in their tumors. CGH analysis may have a clinical application in predicting prognosis and risk of recurrence in patients with ovarian serous carcinomas.
Hu
J
J
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. jhu@mail.magee.edu
Khanna
V
V
Jones
M W
MW
Surti
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis