Deletions below 10 megabasepairs are detected in comparative genomic hybridization by standard reference intervals

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a widely used technique for stud ying chromosomal imbalances. The sensitivity of the technique is, however, relatively low. Deletions down to a size of 10-12 Mbp have been detected by the use of fixed diagnostic thresholds. In this study, we applied standard reference intervals as detection criteria on a number of deletions in the range of 3 Mbp to 14-18 Mbp. All deletions were detected. Thus, detection b y standard reference intervals confers a considerably higher sensitivity to CGH analysis compared to fixed diagnostic thresholds, Genes Chromosomes Ca ncer 25:410-413, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.