EVIDENCE FOR 2 DISTINCT TUMOR-SUPPRESSOR GENE LOCI ON THE LONG ARM OFCHROMOSOME-11 IN HUMAN ORAL-CANCER

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on human chromosome 11 has been reported in a variety of human cancers. To search for the existence of tumor-su ppressor gene(s) associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on chromosome 11, we have performed high-resolution deletion mapping in 31 patients with oral SCC using 22 microsatellite markers for this chr omosomal region. LOH was observed in 14 of 25 cases (56.0%) that were informative with at least one locus. Most allelic deletions detected i n our study were specific to the long arm of the chromosome. Furthermo re, the data presented here show 2 distinct, commonly deleted regions. The first region, with frequent LOH, was restricted between markers D 11S939 and D11S924 separated by 3 centimorgans (cM) on chromosome 11q2 3. The second region of common deletion was identified between markers D11S912 and D11S910, separated by 7 cM at 11q25. Our results suggest that at least 2 tumor-suppressor genes involved in the development of oral SCC are present on the long arm of chromosome 11. (C) 1996 Wiley- Liss, Inc.