Genetic analysis of 53 lymph node-negative breast carcinomas by CGH and relation to clinical, pathological, morphometric, and DNA cytometric prognostic factors

Within the subgroup of lymph node-negative breast cancers, there is a need for accurate prognostic indicators to select high-risk patients. Comparativ e genomic hybridization (CGH) Dro,ides an opportunity to screen the,thole g enome for chromosomal aberrations which may be associated with poor clinica l outcome, The results of CGH analysis of 53 lymph node-negative breast car cinomas are presented and correlated with a set of clinico-pathological and cytometric features with strong prognostic value. The most frequent chromo somal gains were, in descending order of frequency 8q, Iq, Sq, 5q, 4q, and 3q. Recurring losses were observed at chromosomal arms 19p, 1p, 17p, 22q, 4 q, and 8p. There was not a single, unique combination of chromosomal aberra tions, but gains of 1q and 89 were frequently observed simultaneously (15/5 3 cases). DNA aneuploid tumours harboured more gains than DNA diploid tumou rs, but there was no correlation between the total number of events per tum our detected by CGM and any of the prognostic features, Of the many chromos omal aberrations found, only gains of chromosome 89 were strongly correlate d with high values of mean nuclear area. A clearer picture was obtained whe n comparing only those casts which, according to their cytometric and morph ometric features, had either the worst or the best prognosis. Gains occurre d mainly in the 'poor prognostic features' group, in particular at 8q, 11q1 3, 17q, and 20q, It is hypothesized that these gains could be late, progres sion-related events and may be associated with aggressive clinical behaviou r. Thee four chromosomal regions may therefore be of potential prognostic v alue. Correlation with real follow-up data will enable us better to identif y those patients who hale a high risk of recurrence within the subgroup of lymph node-negative breast cancer patients. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .