Personalized evolutionary hypothesis of breast neoplasm based on differential hybridization signals of subtelomeric probes

The limited availability of data on somatic gene evolution in breast cancer is challenging item to apply an appropriate clinical management for each individual. As human subtelomeric sequences are diverse‐prone and variable, they can be considered as hot spots for analysis of the health or disease status. We compared the hybridization signals of subtelomeric sequences in normal cells with those in auxiliary lymph nodes (ALNs) isolated from a single patient. Distinct signal intensities were found in all chromosomes: weak (5, 6, 9–12, and 16–19), medium (1, 5–9, 19, and X), and strong (2, 5, 9, 10, 16, and 18) intensities. Signal intensities in the patient's ALN and lymphocytes were higher than in normal tissues. The absence and presence of one or more hybridization signals and the presence of signals in the p and q arms were also variable. Whereas chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 16, 18, 20, and X showed three hybridization spots, chromosomes 1, 4, 9, 12, 17, and 18–19 presented a reduced signal in the ALN and lymphocytes. In addition, signal intensity in the p arm was higher than in the q arm in most patients’ chromosomes. Therefore, we propose that subtelomeric hybridization be followed periodically in individuals with breast neoplasm to provide specific patterns. Such profiling could be considered as a prediction marker throughout the patients’ life. Together with the Ki67, cyclin D1, and cyclin E expression profiles, the subtelomeric hybridization profile could provide complementary information for cancer management.