Progressive genetic aberrations detected by comparative genomic hybridisation in squamous cell cervical cancer

Genetic changes orchestrated by human papillomaviruses are the most importa nt known factors in carcinogenesis of the uterine cervix. However, it is cl ear that additional genetic events are necessary for tumour progression. We have used comparative genomic hybridization to document non-random chromos omal gains and losses within a subset of 37 cervical carcinomas matched for clinical stage Ib, but with different lymph node status. There were signif icantly more chromosomal changes in the primary tumours when the lymph node s were positive for metastases. The most frequent copy number alterations w ere loss of 3p, 11q, 6q and 10q and gain of 3q. The smallest areas of loss and gain on chromosome 3 were 3p14-22 and 3q24-26. The study identifies pro gressive DNA copy number changes associated with early-stage invasive cervi cal cancers with and without lymph node metastases, a factor of potential p rognostic and therapeutic value. (C) 2000 Cancer Research Campaign.