A new change in the chromosome of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (5/24/2008)

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis provides comprehensive information about relative chromosomal losses and gains in malignant tumors in vitro. Using the CGH technique, chromosomal aberrations in both the primary tumor and its metastatic lymph nodes was detected in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Gains of 8q, 3q and 5p and the loss of 3p, 8p, 9q and 13q were specifically implicated in ESCC in the Linzhou population. Gains of 6p, 20p and the loss of 10pq may have contributed to the lymph metastasis of ESCC.

This study, performed by a team led by Professor Qin, is described in an esophageal cancer article to be published on March 28, 2008 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

ESCC is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in Linxian, Henan Province in Northern China, with a mortality rate of 161/100,000 for males and 103/100,000 for females. This is because of its highly invasive nature and potential to metastasize to lymph nodes and distant organs.

The authors believe that to date, no clear explanation has been offered to elucidate the development and progression of ESCC, and no mechanism of human esophageal multistage carcinogenesis in this area especially the difference in genetic changes between primary ESCC and metastatic lymph nodes has been found. The majority of the chromosomal aberrations detected in this study, both in primary tumor and metastatic lymph node lesions, were consistent with previous reports. For example, the gains of 3q, 5p, 8q23-ter and 20q and deletions of 3p25, 4p, 6q21, 9q22.3-q31, 9p, 11q22-qter, 13q12-13, 18q22.3, and 19q had been detected as frequent chromosomal alterations in ESCC in at least one of the previous CGH studies. Well known genes are located at these loci (e.g., c-myc at 8q24, AIB1 and BTAK at 20q13, cyclinA at 5p13). However, did find new candidate regions of interest, such as 6p, 20p, 10pq . These regions may harbor genes that can be involved in ESCC.

These findings suggest the gains and losses of chromosomal regions may contain ESCC-related oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Using molecular biology techniques, novel ESCC-related oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can be cloned. These genes may be induced by tumorigenesis. With gene therapy, maybe we can lower the mortality rate of ESCC. Therefore, further research should be conducted to identify new ESCC- related genes.

Reference: Qin YR, Wang LD, Fan ZM, Kwong D, Guan XY. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of genetic aberrations associated with development and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Henan, northern China. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(12): 1828-1835 http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/14/1828.asp

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by the World Journal of Gastroenterology

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