Identification of genomic imbalances in gastric MALT lymphoma using arbitrarily primed PCR DNA fingerprinting

Arbitrarily primed PCR (AP-PCR) is a unique method to identify the cancer c ell specific losses and gains of chromosomal regions by targeting specific genes or chromosomal segments. In the present study, introducing the AP-PCR technique with a single primer, we have ascertained the gains and losses o f DNA fingerprints in 15 MALT lymphoma samples. Out of 15 prominent DNA fin gerprints, the signal intensity of two fingerprints, labeled bands G and I, were significantly lower in 40 and 50% of tumors as compared to adjacent n ormal DNA fingerprints, respectively. Similarly, gains of signal intensity of DNA fingerprints (bands A and C) were detected in 13% of tumor samples s tudied. Variations in signal intensities were also found in other bands wit hin a few samples. Although, the functional importance of these bands is un known, this study indicates that the AP-PCR generated under or over amplifi ed DNA fingerprints may participate during the progression of MALT lymphoma in human stomach. Moreover, these studies also suggest that the AP-PCR tec hnique, with different primers, can be utilized for the determination of ne w chromosomal segments in MALT lymphoma samples that can be used for the id entification of these diseases.