Chromosomal Gains and Losses in Uveal Melanomas Detected by Comparative Genomic Hybridization

Eleven uveal melanomas were analyzed using comparative genomic
hybridization (CGH). The most abundant genetic changes were loss of
chromosome 3, overrepresentation of 6p, loss of 6q, and
multiplication of 8q. The smallest overrepresented regions on 6p
and 8q were 6pterp21 and 8q24qter, respectively. Several additional
gains and losses of chromosome segments were repeatedly observed,
the most frequent one being loss of 9p (three cases). Monosomy 3
appeared to be a marker for ciliary body involvement. CGH data were
compared with the results of chromosome banding. Some alterations,
e.g., gains of 6p and losses of 6q, were observed with higher
frequencies after CGH, while others, e.g., 9p deletions, were
detected only by CGH. The data suggest some similarities of
cytogenetic alterations between cutaneous and uveal melanoma. In
particular, the 9p deletions are of interest due to recent reports
about the location of a putative tumor-suppressor gene for
cutaneous malignant melanoma in this region.