Progression analysis of lung squamous cell carcinomas by comparative genomic hybridization.
OBJECTIVE
The genetic mechanisms underlying the development and progression of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the major subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, are still unknown. To better understand this disease, we studied the association between genetic alterations and the progression of lung SCC.


METHODS
Chromosomal aberrations in 39 samples of lung SCC, including 21 nonmetastatic and 18 metastatic carcinomas, were characterized by comparative genomic hybridization and statistically correlated to clinical staging and metastatic ability.


RESULTS
The average gains and losses per patient were significantly higher in the advanced-stage lung SCC and metastatic SCC group compared to the early-stage lung SCC and nonmetastatic SCC group. Gains of 2p, 20p and losses of 2q, 4q, 5q, 9q, 13p, 18q correlated with advanced-stage lung SCC. Losses on 2q, 4q, 6p, 16p, 16q, 18q, 20q, 21q and gains on 2p, 7p, 7q, 20p were more frequent in the metastatic SCC group, which was significantly different from the nonmetastatic SCC group. Gains on 2p, 20p and losses on 2q, 4q, 18q were not only associated with an advanced clinical stage but also with metastases of lung SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that several chromosomal aberrations (e.g. gains on 2p, 20p and losses on 2q, 4q, 18q) may contribute to the progression of lung SCC.
Yan
Wensheng
W
Cancer Institute of Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Song
Lanying
L
Liang
Qiwan
Q
Fang
Yan
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis