Numerical aberrations of chromosome 8 in gastric cancer detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
BACKGROUND
Limited data are available on the genetic events underlying gastric cancer. Studying a few cases by conventional cytogenetic techniques, we previously reported that chromosome 8 might be frequently involved. The aim of our study was to evaluate the numerical aberrations of chromosome 8 in gastric cancer using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).


METHODS
FISH, with an a-satellite DNA probe specific for chromosome 8, was applied to 37 primary gastric tumors directly processed for cytogenetic study.


RESULTS
Numerical aberrations of chromosome 8 were observed in 23 out of 37 tumors (62.16%). Trisomy was detected in 16 cases (43.24%), tetrasomy in 4 cases (10.81%) and monosomy in 3 cases (8.10%). No correlation was found between polysomy 8 and the histopathologic characteristics of the tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in the number of chromosome 8 may frequently occur in gastric cancer. Advanced and more aggressive gastric tumors did not harbor polysomy 8. Further studies at molecular and clinical level must be carried out to identify the gene alterations reflected by polysomy 8 and possibly to facilitate the detection of specific tumors subtypes.
Panani
Anna D
AD
The Second Department of Internal Medicine Propaedeutic, Research Unit, Athens University, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. apanani@med.uoa.gr
Ferti
Angeliki D
AD
Avgerinos
Alexandros
A
Raptis
Satirios A
SA
D000782:Aneuploidy; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology