Deletion of chromosome 11 and of 14q sequences in neuroblastoma

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis carried out on 45 primary neuroblastomas showed deletion of chromosome 11 sequences in 12 of 37 (32%) informative cases. Both 11p and 11q probes were informative in seven tumors; loss of all of chromosome 11, of only 11p sequences, and of only 11q sequences was observed in 4, 1, and 2 tumors, respectively. A cytogenetic abnormality involving translocation of chromosome arm 11q to chromosome arm 1p was observed in a primary tumor. Deletion of 14q was observed in 6 of 27 (22%) informative cases. Deletion of chromosome 11 but not 14q may correlate with regional and metastatic disease. These results suggest a possible role for sequences localized to chromosome 11 and to 14q in the development and/or progression of neuroblastoma.