Cytogenetic And Molecular Genetic Studies In Human Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignancies in China. Recent studies both at cytogenetic and molecular levels have suggested that genetic factors play an important role in the development and the evolution of esophageal cancer. Chromosomal or molecular analysis in esophageal cancer would contribute to a better understanding on the mechanism of carcinogenesis of esophageal epithelia. However, cytogenetic studies of esophageal cancer are frequently hampered by the difficulties in cell culturing such as poor proliferation of cancerous cells, the small number of recognizable metaphases, or a selective growth of normal fibroblast cells.Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosome painting and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) are newly established techniques in molecular cytogenetics. These techniques have overcome the limitations of classical cytogenetic methods and can be applied to detecting various abnormalities of chromosomes.In this study, we have developed the protocols of CGH and FISH in our laboratory with extensive modifying and optimizing of all parameter according to our condition. We analyzed the four EC cell lines, 36 pairs of EC operative tissues and their adjacent mucous epithelia in combination with chromosome G-banding and molecular hybridization techniques.