Meta-analysis and pooled re-analysis of copy number changes in colorectal cancer detected by comparative genomic hybridization.
BACKGROUND
Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) provides an insight into chromosomal changes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development. However, a problem with many studies is the limited cohort size, making the significance of some findings unclear.


METHODS
To derive a better insight into the chromosomal changes associated with CRC, we performed a meta-analysis and pooled re-analysis of published metaphase CGH data.


RESULTS
In addition to recurrent alterations, gains of 20 13q, 8q and 7p and loss of 18, 17p, 8p and 4p, pooling identified less frequent, but significant changes, including gain of 1q and 3, and losses from 6q, 9p and 21q.


CONCLUSIONS
These additional alterations may be characteristic of some tumors and thus have relevance to CRC biology. Meta-analysis not only has the potential to detect novel changes, present at low frequency in several independent studies, but can provide greater reliability for their detection than single studies alone.
Hughes
Simon
S
Sections of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Cancer Research, 15, Cotswold Road, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK.
Williams
Richard D
RD
Webb
Emily
E
Houlston
Richard S
RS
D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm