Comprehensive loss of heterozygosity analysis and identification of a novel hotspot at 3p21 in salivary gland neoplasms.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess loss of heterozygosity (LOH) profiles of 3p, 6q, 8q, 10q, 12q, 13q, and 17p and to identify the tumor suppressor genes involved in salivary gland neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN: LOH analysis was performed using 26 microsatellite markers by polymerase chain reaction-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method in 20 benign and 6 malignant salivary gland tumors. RESULTS: Overall, LOH was detected in at least one informative locus in 18 of 20 (90%) of benign tumors and in all of 6 cases of malignant tumors. High LOH frequencies were revealed at the loci D3S1307 (22%, 3p26), D3S966 (41%, 3p21), D6S255 (27%, 6q25), D8S166 (25%, 8q12), D8S199 (21%, 8q24), and D10S1765 (28%, 10q23) in benign tumors, defining the hotspot regions for putative tumor suppressor genes. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The hotspot regions defined by the present study suggest that new tumor suppressor genes related to the development of salivary gland tumors may reside at several chromosomal loci, including loci at 3p, 6q, 8q and 10q.     

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: By comparative genomic hybridization,spectral karyotyping,and expression array analysis

BACKGROUND: A combination of molecular cytogenetic and expression array analysis has been performed on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of the oral cavity and supraglottis. These studies were performed to identify consensus regions of chromosomal imbalance and structural rearrangement to determine whether genes located in these genomic regions are subject to alterations in gene expression. Such combinatorial studies may help to identify recurrent patterns of altered gene expression in the context of specific chromosomal changes. METHODS: Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to identify net genomic imbalances and spectral karyotyping (SKY) to visualize the numerical and structural chromosomal changes in metaphase preparations. Expression microarray analysis of HNSCC cell lines and primary tongue tumors was also performed to identify genes that were commonly overexpressed or underexpressed compared with adjacent normal tissue. RESULTS: CGH detected gains at 3q (64%), 8q (45%) and 6q22-qter (45%) and losses at 18q22-qter (27%). SKY analysis of seven cell lines identified frequent structural rearrangement of the following chromosomal regions: 3q, 5p13-q11.2, 5q32-q34, 7p12-q11.2, 8p12-q12, 9p, 10p, 13p13-q12, 14q11.1-q11.2, 15p13-q11.2, 16p11.1-q11.1, 18q22-q23, and 22p13-q11.2. Consistent deregulation of interleukin 8, integrin alpha-6, c-MYC, epithelial discoidin domain receptor 1, and sterol regulatory element binding protein were apparent by expression analysis. Interestingly, some of these genes map to regions of genomic imbalance and chromosomal rearrangement as determined by our molecular cytogenetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, a combinatorial analysis using SKY, CGH, and microarray provides a model linking the changes in gene expression to changes in chromosomal dosage and structure. This approach has identified a subset of genetic changes that provide new opportunities for investigating the genetic basis of tumorigenesis in HNSCC.     

膀胱移行细胞癌9q的杂合性丢失及抑癌基因位点的定位

目的研究膀胱移行细胞癌的９号染色体长臂（９ｑ）杂合性丢失并对抑癌基因位点进行定位。方法通过应用２５对高密度多态性微小卫星标记经ＰＣＲ扩增，６％变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳，检测膀胱移行细胞癌的９ｑ杂合性丢失，寻找膀胱移行细胞癌相关抑癌基因的位点。结果２５例病人约有９２％的肿瘤至少有一个以上位点的杂合性丢失，最常见的丢失区域为９ｑ１２～９ｑ２１、９ｑ２２和９ｑ３４，最常见的丢失位点是ＤＢＨ４４．０％、Ｄ９Ｓ１５２２７％、Ｄ９Ｓ１８１５２２７％、Ｄ９Ｓ１７６１２．０％、Ｄ９Ｓ１８３１１６．０％。绘制出膀胱移行细胞癌９ｑ杂合性丢失的染色体图谱，９ｑ杂合性丢失与肿瘤的分级、分期无相关性。结论膀胱移行细胞癌９ｑ的杂合性丢失是肿瘤发生的早期事件之一，在９ｑ３４的ＤＢＨ位点及其附近可能有与膀胱肿瘤相关的抑癌基因存在，并与肿瘤的发生有关。     

Loss of expression of ZAC/LOT1 in squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck

BACKGROUND: ZAC/Lot1 is a previously identified candidate tumor suppressor gene. The gene maps to the human chromosome 6q24-q25, a region frequently deleted in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and other solid tumors. METHODS: We have used a model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and cell lines to analyze the role of the candidate tumor suppressor gene ZAC/Lot1 in oral carcinogenesis. We analyzed the expression in 11 cell lines, and we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH)- and sequence analyses in 51 primary tumors. RESULTS: Three (27.3%) of 11 cell lines showed a distinctly reduced expression of ZAC/Lot1 compared with expression levels of the gene in the normal oral mucosa. In addition, we analyzed 51 primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck for LOH with seven microsatellite markers flanking ZAC/Lot1. We detected an average LOH rate of 31.4% in the region of interest. Sequence analysis revealed no mutations for the ZAC/Lot1 coding exons, including the exon/intron boundaries. CONCLUSIONS: These data could suggest a minimal role for ZAC/Lot1 in a subgroup of HNSCC tumors.     

Loss of heterozygosity analysis identifies genetic abnormalities in mycosis fungoides and specific loci associated with disease progression

Mycosis fungoides (MF) exhibits a variety of underlying molecular defects. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a technique used to detect chromosomal imbalances in neoplastic disorders using archival tissue. We analyzed skin biopsies of MF in different stages for the presence of LOH at specific loci to evaluate underlying genetic aberrations involved in MF and its progression. Twenty-five skin biopsies (15 plaque stage and 10 tumor stage) from 19 patients were evaluated. LOH was examined at 1p22 (D1S2766), 9p21 [IFNA, p15 (D9S1748), p16 (D9S171)], 10q23 [PTEN (D10S185, D10S541, D10S2491)], and 17p13 [p53 (TP53)]. Abnormal lymphocytes were microdissected from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Sixteen of the 25 (64%) specimens evaluated had at least one abnormal LOH locus and LOH was identified in 7 of 15 (47%) plaque and in 9 of 10 (90%) tumor stage lesions, respectively. All 3 patients with sequential biopsies (plaque followed by tumor lesions) had additional LOH abnormalities in tumor specimens compared with plaque stage lesions. LOH most frequently involved chromosome 10, including 7 of 10 (70%) tumor stage lesions. Loss of multiple alleles was only identified in tumor stage cases, with 3 tumors undergoing allelic losses at 3 separate loci. Our results suggest that LOH studies are a robust method for evaluating genetic abnormalities in MF. Tumor stage lesions manifest increasing allelic losses compared with plaque stage. Further, in this series, several loci associated with the tumor suppressor gene PTEN on chromosome 10 appear to be associated with progression from plaque to tumor stage.     

Refined mapping of allele loss at chromosome 10q23-26 in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Allele loss of at least two segments in 10q, one mapping to the PTEN gene and one more distal were described in prostate cancer, with loss more frequent in advanced prostate cancer. METHODS: A 63 cM region from 10q23 to q26 was studied for allele loss (LOH) in 59 prostate cancer samples using a dense map of microsatellite markers. RESULTS: LOH of at least one marker in 10q was observed in 13/59 tumors. LOH increased with grade and stage. Detailed deletion mapping identified three regions of allele loss. The first region mapped to the site of the PTEN gene, the second is defined by loss of one marker, D10S1692, in one tumor, and the third is defined between markers D10S1757 and D10S587, including DMBT, with a subregion of approximately 1.2 Mb mapping between markers D10S209 and D10S1679, lost in one tumor. CONCLUSIONS: LOH at the PTEN gene is frequent but mutations in the remaining allele were not detected by SSCP-screening. There may be more than two tumor suppressor (TS) genes mapping more distal of PTEN. The site for these putative TS genes can now be mapped with a dense set of precisely localized markers in a larger series of advanced tumors.     

散发性结直肠癌染色体4p15等位基因杂合缺失的精细定位研究

目的通过在染色体4p15精细定位高频杂合缺失区域的范围．为筛选高频杂合缺失区内存在的散发性结直肠癌相关肿瘤抑制基因提供依据。方法7个荧光标记的微卫星引物与83例散发性结直肠癌的肿瘤和正常组织进行聚合酶链反应。微卫星之间的的平均遗传距离是1．02cM（centi—Morgon，里摩）。产物进行电泳、扫描及杂合缺失分析，并与临床、病理因素进行相关性检验。结果染色体4p15的平均杂合缺失率为21，34％，最高的是D4S3103位点（35．62％）；最低的是D4S2933位点（12．50％）。可能的肿瘤抑制基因的范围在D4S3017-D4S2933之间约1．7cM的遗传距离内，该区域内有PPARGC1A和GBA3两个基因。D4S1546位点杂合缺失与肿瘤直径显著相关（P〈0．05），其余位点与临床病理因索均无显著相关（P〉0．05）。结论染色体4p15精细定位后高频杂合缺失区域的范围限定在D4S3017-D4S2933之间约1．7cM的范围内。该区域内PPARGC1A和GBA3两个基因可能是散发性结直肠癌相关的肿瘤抑制基因。     

散发性结直肠癌患者18号染色体高频杂合缺失的研究

目的：探讨散发性结直肠癌患者18号染色体上抑癌基因相关的杂合缺失（LOH）情况，并探索新的抑癌基因位点。方法：对83例散发性结直肠癌患者基因组DNA用14个不同荧光标记的高度多态性微卫生引物，扩增相应的微卫星位点，平均距离为10厘摩（centi-morgan,cM）。用ABI PRISM377测序仪进行基因扫描，统计各位点杂合缺失率。结果：在12个获得有效数据的微卫星位点中，平均杂合缺失率为36．78％,18p中最高为D18S53（38．09％），18q中最高为D18S474（55．74％）。4位患者的18号染色体所有杂合位点都存在缺失，30位患者的杂合缺失位点不少于50％（平均6个／人）；缺失位点少于50％的有53人（平均1个／人）。结论：结直肠癌患者18号染色体存在高频的LOH，并以整体缺失为特点。存在高频LOH的区域定位有转化生长因子（TGF）信号传导相关基因、结直肠癌缺失基因（DCC）、Rb结合蛋白8(RbBP8），特别是TGF信号传导相关基因MADH2、4、转化生长因子－β1反应元件（TGF－β1）等的缺失可能对结直肠癌的发生有重要影响。18p也有存在未知抑癌基因的可能。     

Potential location of a bladder tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 9q at 9q13 to 9q22.1

Allelic losses involving chromosome 9q occur in a significant percentage of bladder tumors. Experimental evidence suggests that a putative tumor suppressor gene located on this chromosome may play a role in the development of bladder cancer. The precise location of this potential tumor suppressor gene is not clear. Previous studies have targeted a large region between 9p12-13 and 9q22 or 9p12 and 9q34.1 as the likely site. To further delineate the location of this gene, we examined 49 tumors by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis, using seven microsatellite polymorhpic loci spanning from 9p21 to 9q34 of the chromosome. LOH was found in at least one of the loci in 20 (41%) of the tumors examined, and the majority (12 of 17; 71%) of the losses on 9q involved large segments or the entire chromosome arm. Although many of the tumors with large losses on 9q also involved 9p21, several tumors with small losses did not involve the 9p marker. Conversely, there were tumors with 9p21 losses that did not involve the q-arm. These data agree with recent findings that distinct tumor suppressor genes associated with bladder cancer are located on separate arms of chromosome 9. Among tumors with single locus LOHs, the most common deletion was located in 9q 13-21.2, which was detected by probe D9S15. This also is the smallest area of critical loss when LOH patterns of tumors with partial or interstitial losses were examined. Results of the study therefore suggest that a potential tumor suppressor gene may reside within or near the region of 9q13-22.1.     

散发性结肠直肠癌肿瘤分化及转移相关基因杂合缺失分析

目的：探讨散发性结肠直肠癌患者2号染色体上可能的肿瘤转移相关基因位点。方法：以2号染色体上30个不同荧光标记的高度多态性微卫星引物对83例散发性结肠直肠癌患者基因组DNA扩增相应的微卫星位点,用ABI PRISM 377测序仪进行基因扫描,检测各位点杂合缺失率,比较与肿瘤分期、分化的关系。结果：24个位点获得有效数据,平均遗传距离为11厘摩（cM),杂合缺失率平均为15．16％,较高的有2个们点：D2S206（2q33-37)的32．08％和D2S364（2q24.2)、31．03％,其余位点的杂合缺失率均小于20．00％;D2S142（2q24.1)、D2S126（2q35)、D2S2211（2q24.2)、D2S305（2q23.3)的杂合缺失率随着肿瘤恶性程度的增加而增高,后2个位点间的缺失有相关性。结论：已知几个错配修复基因位点附近的微卫星位点并无高频杂合缺失发生,D2S2305（2q23.3)到D2S2211（2q24.2)之间区域为整体性缺失,此区域和D2S142（2q24.1)、D2S126（2q35)2个位点与肿瘤的恶性程度相关,提示存在未知的肿瘤分化和转换相关基因的可能。     

胃癌染色体1q43区域等位基因杂合缺失精细定位研究

目的 对胃癌1号染色体1q43区域的微卫星位点进行杂合缺失(LOH)研究,为筛选此区域内可能存在的胃癌相关抑癌基因提供依据.方法 4对荧光标记的微卫星引物(D1S1594、D1S2785、D1S304、D1S321)覆盖1q43区域与96例胃癌患者的肿瘤组织及正常组织进行多重聚合酶链反应(PCR).产物经毛细管电泳后进行LOH分析.结果 该区域所测位点平均杂合缺失率17.9%,其中D1S1594位点最高,杂合缺失率为26.5%;D1S2785位点杂合缺失率最低为7.7%.1q43区域各位点的杂合缺失率与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小及TNM分期无明显相关.结论 在1q43区域内发现一个高频LOH区域,即D1S1594及D1S2785位点之间约1 cm区域,提示该区域内存在与胃癌相关的抑癌基因.     

散发性结直肠癌22q13区域杂合缺失的精细定位分析

目的在染色体高频杂合缺失区22q13精细定位，以筛查可能与结直肠癌相关的肿瘤抑制基因。方法荧光标记的微卫星引物与83例结直肠癌的肿瘤和正常组织进行PCR反应。产物在ABI Prism 377自动荧光测序仪进行电泳、扫描以及杂合缺失分析。其结果与临床病理因素进行相关性检验。结果8个位点平均杂合缺失率为35．6％。发现两个高频缺失区域：一个在D22S1171和D22S274之间，约2．7厘摩（cM）；另一个在D22S1160和D22S1149位点之间，约1．8cM。D22S1171位点与肿瘤发生部位显著相关（P=0．020）；D22S114位点与肝转移显著相关（P=0．008）；D22S1160位点与淋巴结转移显著相关（P=0．016）；其余位点与临床病理因素无显著相关性（P〉0．05）。筛选发现ARHGAP8基因和PPARA基因可能是肿瘤抑制基因。结论散发性结直肠癌22q13区域存在两个高频杂合缺失区，分别约2．7cM及1．8cM。ARHGAP8基因和PPARA基因可能是22q13区域与散发性结直肠癌相关的肿瘤抑制基因。     

Identifying a Region of Interest in Site- and Stage-Specific Colon Cancer on Chromosome 13

Background: The role of genes on chromosome 13q has not been confirmed in colorectal tumors, in part because most series that have been studied are heterogeneous in terms of tumor site, stage, and replication error (RER) status. Using a highly homogenous series of colon tumors, our aim was to identify areas of interest on 13q that are important in carcinogenesis.Methods: Twenty-three RER-negative tumor specimens from patients with right-sided Dukes stage C colon tumors were selected for analysis with 10 microsatellite markers spanning 13q. The polymerase chain reaction–amplified products were analyzed by using a standard fluorescent loss of heterozygosity/allele imbalance assay.Results: Markers showing the highest frequency of allelic imbalance were as follows: D13S175 (31%), D13S289 (27%), D13S263 (25%), and D13S265 (27%). The overall resolution of the map was approximately 11.4 to 11.7 cM.Conclusions: This study of right-sided, RER-negative, Dukes stage C colon tumors showed the highest area of allelic imbalance corresponding to 13q11.2–11. This region includes LATS2 (large tumor suppressor 2 gene) and FGF9 (fibroblast growth factor 9), which may be involved in carcinogenesis.     

Loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 16q in gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The present study was planned to investigate cumulative genetic changes during development and progression of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) in clinical patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined GBC DNA from resected tissue isolated from 56 cases of GBC for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at six loci on five chromosomal arms (1p36, 9p21, 13q14, 16q24, 17p13), using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. RESULTS: High incidences of LOH at 1p36 (19/36: 53%), 9p21 (12/32: 38%), 13q14 (20/36: 56%), 16q24 (31/54: 61%), and 17p13 (15/36: 42%) were detected. When comparing genetic features with clinicopathological stages of these tumors, it appeared that only LOH at 16q24 had a high incidence (5/6: 83%) at an early stage (T1a: tumor invades lamina propria) of the disease, although large numbers of LOH were found on all chromosomal arms in tumors of more advanced stages (T1b, T2, T3, and T4). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the putative tumor suppressor gene on 16q24 may be strongly related to an early step of carcinogenesis in GBC and that GBC acquires a high malignant potential when the tumor invades the muscle layer.     

应用激光捕获显微切割技术对肝细胞癌8号染色体短臂杂合性缺失的研究

目的探讨8p杂合性缺失（LOH）的特点及其与肝细胞癌（HCC）临床病理特征的相关性。方法选择8p上5个具有高度多态性的微卫星标记，对62例HCC组织利用激光捕获显微切割（LCM）技术进行LOH分析。结果有56．5％（35／62）的HCC患者在1个或多个基因位点发生LOH。LOH频率最高的3个位点依次为D8S298（51．1％，24／47）、D8S1771（48．8％，21／43）和D8S264（43．5％，20／46）。D8S298位点肝内转移者的LOH频率明显高于无转移者（P〈0．05）；在D8S1771位点，肿瘤直径〉3cm的LOH频率明显高于≤3cm组（P〈0．05）。结论HCC在染色体8p特定位点上LOH明显，在这些区域可能存在一个或多个与HCC发生发展相关的肿瘤抑制基因。8p上部分位点的LOH与临床病理特征有一定的相关性。     

Loss of heterozygosity at 13q14 and 13q21 in high grade, high stage prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 13q has been frequently detected in prostate cancer, and three regions (i.e., 13q14, 13q21, and 13q33) may harbor tumor suppressor genes important in this neoplasm. In this study, we examined the frequency of 13q LOH in advanced prostate cancers, in order to determine the clinicopathologic relevance of 13q LOH. METHODS: LOH was determined by analyzing microsatellite markers in 41 cases of microdissected predominantly high grade prostate cancer tissues and their matched nonneoplastic cells. The results were compared with those generated previously for lower grade, asymptomatic cancers. RESULTS: The frequencies of LOH at 13q14, 13q21, and 13q33 were 62% (21/34), 57% (20/35), and 34% (11/32), respectively. In comparison to previous results, LOH at 13q14 and 13q21 but not 13q33 was more frequent in prostate cancers that produced local clinical symptoms (bladder outlet obstruction) than those that did not (P < 0.05). LOH at 13q14 was also significantly more frequent in high grade and high stage cancers than those that were lower grade and lower stage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the target genes on 13q have not been identified in carcinomas of the prostate, LOH at 13q14 in particular is associated with clinically significant prostate cancers. Further fine mapping of these loci may lead to identification of tumor suppressor genes that are deleted in aggressive carcinomas of the prostate.     

散发性结直肠癌1号染色体1q31.1-32.1区域等位基因杂合缺失精细定位研究

目的 对染色体1q31.1-32.1区域进行杂合缺失(LOH)精细定位分析,探讨更为精确的高频LOH区域并筛选可能与结直肠癌相关的抑癌基因.方法 在1q31.1-32.1区域选择6对微卫星引物与83例结直肠癌的肿瘤和正常组织进行聚合酶链反应(PCR).产物在ABI Prism 377自动荧光测序仪进行电泳,以GeneScan 3.1和Genotyper 2.1软件进行扫描以及LOH分析.LOH结果与临床病理参数之间的关系比较采用χ2检验.结果 1q 31.1-32.1区域平均LOH率是22.98%.以D1S2622位点最高,为36.73%(18/49),最低是D1S412,为16.42%(11/67).结果 显示,更精确的缺失范围定位应该在D1S413和D1S2622之间(1q 31.3-32.1),约2 cM的遗传距离范围内.该区域各位点的LOH率与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、生长方式以及肿瘤Dukes分期无明显相关.结论 将1q31.1-32.1区域高频等位基因缺失精细定位于D1S413和D1S2622位点之间,遗传学距离约2cM的区域内,提示在该区域存在与结直肠癌发生发展相关的抑癌基因.     

Loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 21 in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: In Down syndrome, the incidence of solid tumors including lung cancer is considerably lower than that of the general population. The low risk of lung cancer in individuals with Down syndrome may be related to the gene-dosage effect of the extra chromosome 21. It may suggest that tumor suppressor genes playing a role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer may be present on chromosome 21. METHODS: A total of 39 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancers were analyzed using nine microsatellite markers for 21q. Loss of heterozygosity was considered to be present when the signal intensity of the allele in tumor DNA was less than 50% of that in the corresponding normal DNA. RESULTS: Loss of heterozygosity for at least one locus was detected in 22 of 39 tumors (56.4%). Allelic loss was frequently detected at three distinct regions: at the locus D21S1432 on 21q21.1, the region between D21S1435 and D21S1442 on 21q21.2 to 21.3, and the region between D21S1270 and D21S1445 on 21q22.1. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that loss of heterozygosity on 21q may play an important role in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer.     

散发性大肠癌肿瘤相关基因位点杂合性丢失分析

目的　分析大肠癌组织中抑癌基因及肿瘤相关基因位点的变化与预后的关系。方法　７９例大肠癌组织经组织微解剖分离癌组织和正常组织,分别进行１１ 个染色体上１４ 个位点的杂合性丢失（ｌｏｓｓｏｆｈｅｔｅｒｏｚｙｇｏｓｉｔｙ,ＬＯＨ）分析。结果　肿瘤组织中ＬＯＨ呈现一复杂的征象,５ｑ１２ 及ＲＢ基因位点的ＬＯＨ 与较好的预后有关。结论　不同的抑癌基因及肿瘤相关基因与大肠癌发生有关。５ｑ１２ 位点的ＬＯＨ 与较好预后相关的意义有待今后进一步研究。     

Extensive analysis of the 13q14 region in human prostate tumors: DNA analysis and quantitative expression of genes lying in the interval of deletion

BACKGROUND: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome arm 13q14 is one of the most consistent genetic alterations in sporadic prostate cancer. This alteration may be involved in prostate oncogenesis through inactivation of one or more tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Candidate gene expression is an approach to focus the search for TSGs in this region. METHODS: We tested 41 human sporadic prostate tumors for 13q14 LOH by using seven polymorphic markers overlapping the critical region and used a real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay to study the same tumors for expression of the 31 genes located in this genomic region (localized by the Human Genome Project Working Draft). RESULTS: Allelic loss on at least one locus was found in 18 (41%) of the 41 tumor DNAs. Only four genes (ITM2B, CHC1L, KIAA0970, and LOC51131), located in the region most frequently deleted in prostate carcinoma, showed a significant difference in expression between normal and neoplastic prostate tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Given their location in the LOH hotspot, as indicated by our genomic analysis, ITM2B, CHC1L, KIAA0970, and LOC51131 are candidate tumor suppressor genes in this region. ITM2B that showed a significant association (P < 0.005) between expression and LOH at the corresponding locus could, furthermore, be the main target of the observed LOH at 13q in prostate tumors.