Chromosome 11 copy number gains and Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignancies

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome can be found in many malignant tumors in China. Previous data of interphase cytogenetics, by comparative genomic hybridization and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization, on nasopharyngeal carcinomas and natural killer cell-type non-Hodgkin lymphomas in Hong Kong have noted gains in chromosome 11. This study compares the frequency of chromosome 11 copy number gains in three different types of EBV-associated tumors in Hong Kong. Using alpha-satellite probes, the authors studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization 31 EBV-positive tumors comprising 10 EBV-positive gastric carcinomas, 8 lung lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas, and 13 non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Trisomy or polysomy 11 was detected in 10 of 10 (100%) EBV-positive gastric carcinomas, 6 of 8 (75%) lung lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas, and 4 of 13 (30.8%) non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Compared with the EBV-positive gastric carcinomas, the 10 EBV-negative gastric carcinomas that were also studied showed chromosome 11 copy number gains in 3 of 10 (30%), a significantly lower frequency. The authors conclude that gains in chromosome 11 are common in EBV-associated malignancies in Hong Kong, with the strongest association found in gastric carcinoma. There seems to be differences between EBV-associated tumors of different locations, and between gastric carcinomas with and without EBV.