Project description:Chromosomal instable colorectal cancer is marked by specific large chromosomal copy number aberrations. Recently, focal aberrations of 3Mb or smaller have been identified as a common phenomenon in cancer. Inherent to their limited size, these aberrations harbour one or few genes. The aim of this study is to identify recurrent focal chromosomal aberrations and their candidate driver genes in a well defined series of stage II colon cancers and assess their potential clinical relevance. High resolution DNA copy number profiles were obtained from 38 formalin fixed paraffin embedded colon cancer samples with matched normal mucosa as a reference using array comparative genomic hybridization. In total, 81 focal chromosomal aberrations were identified that harboured 177 genes. Statistical validation of focal aberrations and identification of candidate driver genes was performed by enrichment analysis and mapping copy number and mutation data of colorectal-, breast-, pancreatic cancer and glioblastomas to loci of focal aberrations in stage II colon cancer. This analysis demonstrated a significant overlap with previously identified focal amplifications in colorectal cancer, but not with cancers from other sites. In contrast, focal deletions seem less tumour type specific since they also show significant overlap with focal deletions of other sites. Focal deletions detected are significantly enriched for cancer genes and genes frequently mutated in colorectal cancer. The mRNA expression of these genes is significantly correlated with DNA copy number status, supporting the relevance of focal aberrations. Loss of 5q34 and gain of 13q22.1 were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival in this series of patients. In conclusion, focal chromosomal copy number aberrations in stage II colon cancer are enriched in cancer genes which contribute to and drive the process of colorectal cancer development. DNA copy number status of these genes correlate with mRNA expression and some are associated with clinical outcome.

Project description:Chromosomal instable colorectal cancer is marked by specific large chromosomal copy number aberrations. Recently, focal aberrations of 3Mb or smaller have been identified as a common phenomenon in cancer. Inherent to their limited size, these aberrations harbour one or few genes. The aim of this study is to identify recurrent focal chromosomal aberrations and their candidate driver genes in a well defined series of stage II colon cancers and assess their potential clinical relevance. High resolution DNA copy number profiles were obtained from 38 formalin fixed paraffin embedded colon cancer samples with matched normal mucosa as a reference using array comparative genomic hybridization. In total, 81 focal chromosomal aberrations were identified that harboured 177 genes. Statistical validation of focal aberrations and identification of candidate driver genes was performed by enrichment analysis and mapping copy number and mutation data of colorectal-, breast-, pancreatic cancer and glioblastomas to loci of focal aberrations in stage II colon cancer. This analysis demonstrated a significant overlap with previously identified focal amplifications in colorectal cancer, but not with cancers from other sites. In contrast, focal deletions seem less tumour type specific since they also show significant overlap with focal deletions of other sites. Focal deletions detected are significantly enriched for cancer genes and genes frequently mutated in colorectal cancer. The mRNA expression of these genes is significantly correlated with DNA copy number status, supporting the relevance of focal aberrations. Loss of 5q34 and gain of 13q22.1 were identified as independent prognostic factors of survival in this series of patients. In conclusion, focal chromosomal copy number aberrations in stage II colon cancer are enriched in cancer genes which contribute to and drive the process of colorectal cancer development. DNA copy number status of these genes correlate with mRNA expression and some are associated with clinical outcome. 38 Stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue samples (FFPE) of which 19 were done on expression arrays. One sample (Stage II colorectal cancer tissue samples (FFPE) 26) was also done on the 135K NimbleGen array. Fresh frozen and FFPE of the same CRC stage I sample was done on 105K agilent. The fresh frozen was across array in silico set out against a pool of blood of 18 healthy females.

Project description:Cervical cancer results from the accumulation of (epi)genetic aberrations following persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). In order to define genetic aberrations associated with cervical carcinogenesis, chromosomal profiles of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were generated. Common aberrations usually encompass large genomic regions and contain numerous genes, hampering identification of actual driver genes. Consequently, direct evidence of chromosomal alterations actively contributing to cervical carcinogenesis has been lacking so far. By analyzing 60 high-grade CIN with high resolution arrayCGH we identified focal chromosomal aberrations that each harbour only one or a few genes. In total 74 focal aberrations were identified encoding 305 genes. Analysis of genes located within these focal aberrations, using two independent expression microarray datasets, revealed concurrent altered expression in high-grade CIN and/or cervical carcinomas compared to normal cervical samples for 8 genes: ATP13A3, HES1, OPA1, HRASLS, EYA2, ZMYND8, APOBEC2 and NCR2. Gene silencing of EYA2, located within a focal gain at 20q13, significantly reduced viability and migratory capacity of HPV16-transformed keratinocytes. Interestingly, for hsa-miR-375, located within the most frequently identified focal loss at 2q35, a direct correlation between a (focal) loss and significantly reduced expression was found. Down-regulation of hsa-miR-375 expression during cervical carcinogenesis was confirmed in a second independent series of cervical tissues. Moreover, ectopic expression of hsa-miR-375 in 2 cervical carcinoma cell lines reduced cellular viability. In conclusion, our data provide a proof of concept that chromosomal aberrations are actively contributing to HPV-induced carcinogenesis and identify EYA2 and hsa-mir-375 as oncogene and tumor suppressor gene, respectively. DNA from microdissected tissues: 60 samples total. 11 high-grade CIN, <5yr preceding hrHPV infection, 43 high-grade CIN >5yr preceding hrHPV infection, 6 CIN3 adjacent to SCC

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Assessing the significance of chromosomal aberrations in cancer: Methodology and application to glioma

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