Novel chromosomal alterations detected in primary nasopharyngeal carcinomaby comparative genomic hybridization

Objective To gain a better understanding of genetic changes in Cantonese na sopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed on 17 primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Results A novel copy number gain an chromosome 4q and loss of chromosome Ip were found at a high frequency ( > 50%). Conclusions Current analysis revealed a comprehensive profile of the chromo somal regions showing gain of chromosomes 4q, 12q, and 1q as well as loss o f chromosomes 1p, 3p, 11q, 14q, 15q, 13q, Xq, 9q, 10p, 10q, and 16q. Freque ntly altered loci may encode oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes involved i n the development of primary NPC.