Chromosome aberrations associated with centrosome defects: a study of comparative genomic hybridization in breast cancer

Abstract

Centrosome abnormalities occur frequently in various tumors and can cause chromosomal instability and eventually promote cancer development. We investigated the chromosome aberrations associated with centrosome abnormalities in 30 cases of breast cancer, combining immunohistochemical staining and comparative genomic hybridization. Except for some common chromosome alterations (including gains of 1q, 8q, 17q, 20q, and Xq and losses of 8p, 11q, 13q, 14q, 16q, 17p, 22q, and Xp) that have also been seen more frequently in other studies, we discovered some new changes that have rarely been reported, including gains at 2p, 5p, 10p, 15q, 16p, 18q, 21q, and 22q and losses at 6p, 8p23, 11p13-pter, 13q34, and 14q32-qter. We also identified some changes (such as gains of 17q, 20q, and Xq and losses of 17p, 13q, and 14q) harboring candidate genes. We also explored the expression of centrosome protein in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Our findings provide a new way to explore the molecular mechanisms of breast tumorigenesis and accordingly potential new targets for therapy for this disease.