Abstract 3404: Identification of potential oncogenes in osteosarcoma pathogenesis by high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC An unstable karyotype and global gene copy number changes typify osteosarcoma tumors, which are the most common primary malignant tumors of bone. Tumors often exhibit aberrant broadly disregulated gene expression and a high number of genomic aberrations and biological heterogeneity that is thought to confer adaptability to aggressive treatment regimens. The molecular basis for the pathogenesis and aggressive nature of osteosarcoma is clinically relevant, but has yet to be well-elucidated. In this study, we utilized high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (Human Genome CGH Microarray Kit 244A) to identify and characterize recurrent signatures of genomic imbalances using 15 osteosarcoma tumors. The tumors were then clustered using hierarchical techniques according to chromosomal location, size and type (gain or loss) of their genomic aberrations. We observed an approximate correlation of the clusters with percent tumor necrosis in response to chemotherapy; however, of even greater interest were some apparent relationships between tumor response to treatment and copy number changes in genes with potential for oncogenic activity. In tumors with 90% necrosis in response to chemotherapy (6 of 6 tumors). Many of the genes with aberrant copy number detected by our analyses have been characterized in cell lines and in vivo studies representing other types of cancer. Ideally, our results will prompt functional investigations of overexpression or, alternatively, inactivation of the genes identified in this study. Our future objectives are to determine the effects in osteosarcoma xenografts of modulating expression of these genes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3404.