Analysis of chromosomal alterations in non-small cell lung cancer by multiplex-FISH, comparative genomic hybridization, and multicolor bar coding

Lung cancer has a considerable impact on morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Despite extensive effort, no lung cancer-specific cytogenetic c hanges, such as lineage-specific translocations or inversions, have been de scribed to date. in this study we used multiplex fluorescence in situ hybri dization (M-FISH), comparative genomic hybridization, and multicolor bar co ding to analyze eight cell lines derived from non-small cell lung cancers. M-FISH did not identify any balanced translocations, which are the dominati ng feature in leukemias and lymphomas. Instead, M-FISH unraveled an enormou s number of numerical and structural aberrations, with each tumor having it s own "private" pattern of chromosomal changes. In contrast, comparative ge nomic hybridization demonstrated similarities between tumors, because each cell line shared some chromosomal segments that were commonly gained or los t. One of these involved chromosome 12. Chromosome 12 specific bar code pro be sets were constructed and used to demonstrate that breaks on chromosome 12 occur preferentially within specific bands. With the progressive use of higher resolution approaches, more information can be gained about the chro mosomal alterations in cancer.