Multicentre analysis of patterns of DNA gains and losses in 204 neuroblastoma tumors: How many genetic subgroups are there?

Analysis of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) data of 120 tumors from four different studies, and data of 84 previously unpublished tumors, allowed delineation of at least six different genetic subsets of neuroblastomas. A small number of tumors show no detectable imbalances. A second group of tumors presents with gains and losses of whole chromosomes and is found predominantly in prognostically favorable stage 1 and 2 tumors. The remaining groups are characterized by the presence of partial chromosome imbalances, and are found mostly in stage 3, 4, and 4S tumors. The third group shows 17q gain without 11q loss, 1p loss, or MYCN amplification (MNA). The fourth group has 1p deletion or MNA, and finally, a fifth group shows 11q loss without 1p deletion or MNA, and is found mainly in stage 4 tumors. The latter group is significantly associated with losses of 3p, 4p, and 14q. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36: 5–10, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.