Cytogenetic studies of 24 renal epithelial tumors with von Hippel-Lindau and fragile histidine triad protein expression correlation.

Abstract

Abstract Context.—Deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p deletion) is a cytogenetic abnormality generally associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most aggressive form of renal epithelial tumor. Objective.—To cytogenetically characterize 24 renal tumors in order to check the incidence and the type of 3p deletions, as well as to identify new genes putatively participating in renal tumorigenesis and test the protein products of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) genes. Design.—We analyzed 24 renal tumors by conventional cytogenetics, comparative genomic hybridization, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. We then performed a comparative expression study of the proteins pVHL and Fhit. Results.—In our series of 24 renal tumors, the 3p deletion was the most frequent genetic alteration (15/24); the other features were partial trisomy 5q, 8p deletion, and monosomy 9 and 14. The 3p deletion was long and terminal, and no interstitial deletion was identified. By immu...