Chromosomal aberrations in human hepatocellular carcinomas associated withhepatitis C virus infection detected by comparative genomic hybridization

Thirty-five hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) associated with hepatitis C vi rus (HCV) were analysed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), to scre en for changes in copy-number of DNA sequences. Chromosomal losses were not ed in 1p34-36 (37%), 4q12-21 (48%), 5q13-21 (35%), 6q13-16 (23%), 8p21-23 ( 28%), 13q (20%), 16q (33%) and 17p13 (37%). Gains were noted in 1q (46%), 6 p (20%), 8q21-24 (31%) and 17q (43%). High level gains indicative of gene a mplifications were found in 7q31 (3%), 11q13 (3%), 14q12 (6%) and 17q12 (3% ); amplification at 14q12 may be characteristic for HCCs. No significant di fference in chromosomal aberrations was noted between carcinomas associated with HCV-infection in our study and those reported earlier in HCCs infecte d with hepatitis B virus (HBV), indicating that both HBV- and HCV-related c arcinomas may progress through a similar cascade of molecular events.