Detection of Chromosomal Aberrations in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder by Representational Difference...

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the fifth most common solid malignancy in the U.S. Unfortunately, recurrence, invasion and metastasis are characteristic of bladder cancer. Additional studies to define factors involved in bladder cancer progression would facilitate the design of molecularly-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Genomic alterations contribute to bladder cancer tumorigenesis. To identify gains or losses of chromosomal regions involved in invasive bladder cancer, we performed representational difference analysis (RDA) using DNA from transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) vs. DNA from adjacent non-tumor tissue.

Our genome-wide analysis allowed the identification of 61 loci that show loss or gain in bladder cancer. Many of the identified loci are present within large chromosomal regions previously found to undergo alterations in bladder cancer, as well as defining regions previously not associated with bladder cancer. Genomic changes identified by RDA are found in multiple tumors.

Identification of gene losses and gains provides a means to uncover novel candidate tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. RDA is a simple, inexpensive and efficient approach for the detection of specific gene changes in bladder cancer.