Novel chromosomal alterations detected in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma by comparative genomic hybridization

To gain a better understanding of genetic changes in Cantonese nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed on 17 primary nasopharyngeal carcinomas. A novel copy number gain an chromosome 4q and loss of chromosome 1p were found at a high frequency (> 50%). Current analysis revealed a comprehensive profile of the chromosomal regions showing gain of chromosomes 4q, 12q, and 1q as well as loss of chromosomes 1p, 3p, 11q, 14q, 15q, 13q, Xq, 9q, 10p, 10q, and 16q. Frequently altered loci may encode oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes involved in the development of primary NPC.