Heterochromatin variants in 109 ovarian cancer patients and 192 healthy subjects

摘要

Aberrations of the C-band region of chromosome no. 1 (1qh) were studied in 109 patients with ovarian cancer and 192 healthy subjects. The groups were compared for heterochromatin size variationa, intrapair size asymmetry, and inversion. No significant correlation was found between the size of 1qh and ovarian cancer. Heteruchromatin size asymmetry was estimated visually and determined by objective measurement of 1qh length or area; the methods show strong correlation. The measurements were normalised by comparison with the length or area of 16p or the entire chromosome no. 1. However, since good reliability was found by simply relating the 1qh size difference to the mean 1qh size, this was concidered an appropriate and simpler method of normalisation. Asymmetry indices of length and area menmrements correlated well, implying that the simpler method of length measurements can he readily used. 1qh asymmetry, measured objectively or estimated visually, was significantly increased in the cancer patient group. The incidence of C-band inversion was significantly increased in the patient group. Moreover, inversion increased significantly with increasing 1qh asymmetry.