Highly consistent genetic alterations in childhood adrenocortical tumours detected by comparative genomic hybridization

We have examined 11 cases of childhood adrenocortical tumours for copy numb er changes using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The changes seen are highly consistent between cases, and are independent of tumour type (ca rcinoma versus adenoma) or the presence of a germline TP53 mutation. The re gions of chromosomal gain and loss identified in this study indicate the lo cation of genes that are potentially important in the development and progr ession of childhood adrenocortical tumours. Finally, the copy number change s identified in childhood tumours are distinctly different to those seen in adult cases (Kjellman et al (1996) Cancer Res 56: 4219-4223), and we propo se that this indicates that childhood tumours are of embryonal origin. (C) 1999 Cancer Research Campaign.