Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of chromosomal imbalances and their target genes in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. The tumors characteristically harbor KIT or PDGFRA mutations, and mutant tumors respond to imatinib mesylate (Glivectrade mark). Chromosomal imbalances resulting in altered gene dosage are known to have a role in the molecular pathogenesis of these tumors, but the target genes remain to be identified. The present study aimed to identify some of these genes. In total, 35 GIST samples were screened for chromosomal imbalances by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. A cDNA array was used to define the minimal common overlapping areas of DNA copy number change. Eight confirmative, …