DNA sequence copy number aberrations associated with histological subtypes and DNA ploidy in gastric carcinoma

We have analyzed DNA sequence copy number aberrations (DSCNAs) and DNA ploidy by using comparative genomic hybridization and laser scanning cytometer in gastric carcinomas (GCs) to elucidate the genomic aberrations in relation to clinicopathological parameters. Thirty-two out of 33 cases showed one or more DSCNAs with a mean number of 11.7 per tumor. High-level gains were detected at 2p, 3q, 6p, 7p, 7q, 8q, 12p, 13q, 19q, and 20q. Frequency of gross genomic abnormalities and chromosome regions that have genomic aberrations were similar in both intestinal- and diffuse-type GCs, except aberrations at 8p, 9p, 12q, and 20q. The overall number of DSCNAs was significantly greater in DNA aneuploid tumors than that in DNA diploid tumors. We detected genomic aberrations characterized by histological subtype, tumor location, and DNA ploidy status: gain of 20q and losses of 8p and 9p in intestinal-type GCs, gains of 8p and 12q in diffuse-type GCs, gain of 20q in the lower third GCs, and loss of 5q, 9p, 10q, 16q, and 18q in DNA aneuploid GCs. Furthermore, 5q loss is associated with DNA aneuploidy (P = 0.0001) or the total number of losses (P = 0.001), gain + losses (P = 0.004), and high-level gains (P = 0.001) in GCs. Among these loci, chromosome 8p was unique. Gain of 8p was more common in diffuse-type GC, whereas loss of 8p was more frequently detected in intestinal-type GC. In conclusion, we describe chromosomal regions of 5q, 8p, and 20q, which are of interest for further investigation of GCs.