Showing papers by "Jo Vandesompele published in 1999"

Gain of chromosome arm 17q and adverse outcome in patients with neuroblastoma

Abstract: Background Gain of genetic material from chromosome arm 17q (gain of segment 17q21–qter) is the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality of neuroblastoma cells. This gain has been associated with advanced disease, patients who are ≥1 year old, deletion of chromosome arm 1p, and amplification of the N-myc oncogene, all of which predict an adverse outcome. We investigated these associations and evaluated the prognostic importance of the status of chromosome 17. Methods We compiled molecular cytogenetic analyses of chromosome 17 in primary neuroblastomas in 313 patients at six European centers. Clinical and survival information were collected, along with data on 1p, N-myc, and ploidy. Results Unbalanced gain of segment 17q21–qter was found in 53.7 percent of the tumors, whereas the chromosome was normal in 46.3 percent. The gain of 17q was characteristic of advanced tumors and of tumors in children ≥1 year of age and was strongly associated with the deletion of 1p and amplification of N-myc. No tumor showed amp...