Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)‐arrays pave the way for identification of novel cancer‐related genes

Abstract

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has already made a significant impact on cancer Cytogenetics. However, CGH to metaphase chromosomes can provide only limited resolution at the 5–10 Mb level. To circumvent this limitation, array‐based CGH has been devised. Since spotted DMAs in a CGH‐array contain sequence information directly connected with the genome database, we can easily note particular biological aspects of genes that lie within regions involved in copy‐number aberrations. High‐density, sub‐megabase arrays can reveal nonrandom chromosome copy‐number aberrations responsible for neoplastic transformation that have been masked under complex karyotypes in epithelial solid tumors. High‐density CGH‐array therefore paves the way for identification of disease‐related genetic aberrations that have not yet been detected by existing technologies, and array‐based CGH technology should soon be practical for diagnosis of cancer or genetic diseases in the clinical setting.