Deletions of chromosome 10q - Marker of metastases formation in head and neck cancer?

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was applied to squamous cell carcin omas of the head and neck to define genetic alterations that are associated with the metastatic phenotype. Methods: CGH is a molecularcytogenetic meth od allowing the comprehensive analysis of a tumor genome for chromosomal im balances. In total, 23 primary squamous cell carcinomas without evidence of metastasis formation and 20 lymph node metastases were investigated. Resul ts: Prevalent changes observed in more than 50% of the primary tumors inclu ded deletions on chromosomes 3p, 4p/q, 5q, 6q, 9p, 11q, 13q, and 18q, and D NA overrepresentations on chromosomes 1p, 3q, 5p, 8q, 9q, 11q13, 16p, 17q, 19p, 20q, and 22q. To evaluate the differences between both groups we used a histogram representation, calculation of a difference histogram, and stat istical analysis. The analysis revealed that the lymph node metastases were frequently characterized by deletions on chromosomes 10, 11, and 14. In pa rticular, DNA loss of the chromosomal bands 5p12, 10p11.2-12, 10q21, 10q22- 23, 10q24-26, 11p13-14, 11q24-25, and 14q22-24 were significantly associate d with metastases formation. The statistical analysis indicated that partic ularly the deletions on chromosome 10q were highly significant markers for the incidence of lymph node metastases. Conclusion: Our data indicate that tumor phenotypes are determined by patterns of chromosomal alterations, and that 10q deletions may predict the metastatic phenotype in head and neck s quamous cell carcinomas.