Amplification of 3q26 similar to qter correlates with tumor progression inhead and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Biological characteristics of malignant tumors including head and neck squa mous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are greatly affected by genetic alterations. Ho wever, the relationship between chromosomal aberrations and pathologic tumo r stage in HNSCC has not been elucidated. In 32 patients, DNA sequence copy number aberrations (DSCNA) were surveyed by comparative genomic hybridizat ion (CGH) combined with a microdissection method. The average number of DSC NA was 15.3 per tumor and increased with tumor stage (P < .05). DNA copy nu mber gain was detected at 3q26 similar to qter in 29 tumors (91%), and 13 o f these tumors displayed marked DNA amplification. Tumor stage was linked w ith this amplification (P < .05). The increase in DSCNA and amplification o f 3q26 similar to qter are likely to be useful markers for estimating tumor progression in HNSCC. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.