Search

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) provides genome-scale overviews of chromosomal copy number changes in tumors (1). Unlike conventional cytogenetic analysis, it needs no cell culturing, making it applicable to practically any kind of clinical specimen from which DNA can be obtained, including archival paraffin embedded material (2). It maps the origins of amplified and deleted DNA sequences on normal chromosomes, thereby highlighting locations of important genes. However, this technique cannot detect subchromosomal changes, owing to its limited resolution, nor structural chromosomal changes such as translocations or inversions. By its nature, CGH is especially suitable for screening tumors in various stages of development, such as premalignant lesions, invasive carcinomas and metastases, pointing out the location of possible oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes that may play a role in the early onset of malignancy, tumor progression, or the process of metastasis. In addition, CGH can be used to compare different histological components within one tumor, enabling in a better understanding of the relation between phenotype and genotype, or to compare derivative cell lines with the original cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) in cellular pathology. Genetic abnormalities can occur both at the DNA and the chromosomal level. Solid tumours, which comprise around 95% of all human cancers, commonly exhibit many and complex chromosomal changes, but it is difficult to appreciate the meaning of recurrent and specific chromosomal changes against a background of a multitude of alterations. CGH was very difficult to reproduce in less specialised laboratories; only after the publication of an article reviewing the method in great detail did CGH become more widely applied.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) provides genome-scale overviews of chromosomal copy number changes in tumors (1). Unlike conventional cytogenetic analysis, it needs no cell culturing, making it applicable to practically any kind of clinical specimen from which DNA can be obtained, including archival paraffin-embedded material (1). CGH maps the origins of amplified and deleted DNA sequences on normal chromosomes, thereby highlighting locations of important genes. However, this technique cannot detect chromosomal translocations, inversions, or subchromosomal changes. By its nature, CGH is especially suitable for screening tumors in various stages of development, such as premalignant lesions and invasive carcinomas and metastases, pointing out the location of possible oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes that may play a role in the early onset of malignancy or in the process of metastasis. In addition, CGH can be used to compare different histologic components within one tumor, enabling a better understanding of the relation between phenotype and genotype, or to compare derivative cell lines with the original cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]