Abstract
Cytogenetic analyses of human colon cancer cells have revealed a high frequency of chromosome 1p deletions among other chromosomal abnormalities. In order to find out whether these chromosomal alterations are manifestations of loss of genetic material, we surveyed DNA of 62 primary tumors, 7 metastases, and matching peripheral blood cells with a panel of polymorphic DNA probes that detect different loci on chromosome 1p. A portion of the probes was derived from a microclone bank generated by microdissection and microcloning of 1p35→pter DNA. In 42% of the colon carcinomas allelic loss was observed with at least one probe. The deletions were of different sizes but always included a region involving band 1p35, except for two tumors in which allelic loss was detected more proximally. The frequency of 1p deletion in the metastases was higher than in the primary tumors. These data indicate that genetic information related to tumorigenesis is located within or nearby region 1p35 and that deletion of this region occurs later in tumor development. Our results add to the number of genetic changes presumably involved in colon cancerogenesis.
Footnotes
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↵1 This study was supported by general and special funds of the German Cancer Research Center, the Verein zur Förderung der Krebsforschung, the Dr. Mildred Scheel Stiftung, the Heidelberg-Mannheim Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
- Received May 31, 1990.
- Accepted August 10, 1990.
- ©1990 American Association for Cancer Research.