FREQUENT LOSS OF HETEROZYGOSITY OF CHROMOSOME-3 SHORT ARM DETECTED BYPCR-BASED MICROSATELLITE POLYMORPHISMS IN CERVICAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA

Karyotypic studies have shown that genetic aberrations of the short ar m of chromosome 3 (3p) may be involved in the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma. In this study we analyzed nine polymorphic microsatellite repeats on 3p using a PCR-based assay for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 64 invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix. These markers encompass chromosome region 3p13-25. LOH at one or more loci was detec ted in 46 (79%) out of the 58 informative cases. The incidence of LOH at locus D3S643 (3p13) was the highest among nine markers examined. Th e difference between the frequency of LOH at D3S643 in early stage (I- II) disease (43%) and those with advanced stage (stage III-IV) (79%) w as statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results indicate that tum or suppressor gene(s) that play a role in cervical cancer may be locat ed on the short arm of chromosome 3, likely near or at 3p13. The LOH a t 3p13 appears to be a late event in tumor progression and may serve a s an indicator for a less favorable clinical outcome. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Ireland Ltd.