Analysis of chromosomal aberrations in large hepatocellular carcinomas by comparative genomic hybridization

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common and highly malignant tumor, associated mainly with chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of any cause, af latoxin exposure and ethanol consumption. The aim of this study was to map genomic aberrations in I-ICC by a recently developed technique: comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). We applied CGH on 17 liver specimens, of whic h seven were HCCs. The rest were benign liver tumors, cirrhotic and normal livers, and other liver malignancies. Our study included mainly large tumor s (mean size 10.5 cm) unrelated to viral hepatitis or cirrhosis. Our CGH an alysis detected genomic imbalances in 42% of HCCs. The common aberrations i ncluded DNA gains of 1q, 9p, and 8q and DNA losses of 17p, 13q, 9q, 4q, and 11q. Also, we detected trisomies 8, 9, 18 and 21, which have not been repo rted previously. Gains and losses of DNA found in this study probably invol ve oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that play a role in the puzzle of h epatocarcinogenesis. This study also suggests a possible link between the s ize of the tumor and the burden of genetic changes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce Inc. All rights reserved.