Loss of 6q or 8p23 is associated with the total number of DNA copy number aberrations in adenoid cystic carcinoma

We analyzed 10 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) of the salivary glands byarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) using DNA chips spottedwith 4,030 bacterial artificial chromosome clones. After the data smoothing procedurewas applied, a total of 88 DNA copy number aberrations (DCNAs) were detected.The frequent (≥30%) DCNAs were loss of 6q23-27 and 8p23, and gains of 6p, 6q23,8p23 and 22q13. High-level gains were detected on 12q15, including MDM2 in twocases. These two cases showed an immunohistochemically high-level (>50%) expressionof MDM2 and a low-level expression of p53 (<20%). Furthermore, the total numberof DCNAs was significantly greater in ACCs with loss of 6q compared to other ACCs,and in ACCs without the loss of 8p23 compared to other ACCs, respectively. Althoughlimitations exist, a-CGH detected several candidate chromosomal imbalances associatedwith accumulation of DCNAs in ACCs.