Multicentre analysis of patterns of DNA gains and losses in 204 neuroblastoma tumors: How many genetic subgroups are there?

Procedure. Analysis of comparative genomic hybridization (CCH) data of 120 tumors from four different studies, and data of 84 previously unpublished r umors, allowed delineation of at least six different generic subsets of neu roblastomas. Results and Conclusions. A small number of tumors show no dete ctable imbalances. A second group of tumors presents with gains and losses of whole chromosomes and is found predominantly in prognostically favorable stage 1 and 2 tumors. The remaining groups are characterized by the presen ce of partial chromosome imbalances, and are found mostly in stage 3, 4, an d 4S tumors. The third group shows 17q gain without 11q loss, 1p loss, or M YCN amplification (MNA). The fourth group has Ip deletion or MNA, and final ly, a fifth group shows 11q loss without Ip deletion or MNA, and is found m ainly in stage 4 tumors. The latter group is significantly associated with losses of 3p, 4p, and 14q. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36: 5-10, 2001. (C) 2001 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.