Investigation of loss of heterozygosity at specific loci on chromosomes 3p, 6q, 11p, 17p and 17q in ovarian cancer

In an attempt to further define the genetic events in the pathogenesis and progression of human ovarian cancer, an analysis of constitutional and ovarian carcinoma DNA samples revealed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at specific loci on chromosomes 3p (38%), 6q (23%), 11p (33%), 17p (82%) and 17q (62%). In contrast, LOH was not observed in benign or borderline tumors. No significant association could be demonstrated between LOH at the loci studied and tumor stage, histologic subtype, grade or patient outcome. Further analyses of large tumor panels are now required to determine the relationship between LOH at these loci and the clinicopathological behavior of ovarian tumors.