3p and 10q deletions detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): A potential new tool for early detection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
7606 Objectives: To study the feasibility of detecting chromosomal deletions at the 3p and 10q regions in bronchoscopic brush biopsies and touch preparations by FISH and to study their distribution in different areas of the airway in patients with NSCLC. Methods: Bronchoscopic brush biopsies from the mainstem bronchus on the normal side contralateral to the tumor (NBB) and normal mainstem bronchus on the tumor side (TBB) were obtained from 120 patients who underwent surgical resection. Touch preparations from the tumor (TTP) and normal lung parenchyma from the involved lung (NTP) and from bronchi adjacent to the tumor (TAB) were also obtained. Two FISH assays using probes complementary to 3p22.1 and 10q22.3 were used for evaluation of chromosomal deletions at each site. The ratios of the percentage of deletions detected at different anatomical sites were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Correlations between deletions at TTP and other sites were estimated with a Spearman coefficient. Results: Contralateral normal bronchial tissue (NBB) showed a relatively low deletion rate of 3p and 10q compared to TTP (p<0.0001). FISH on brush biopsies at TBB showed a significantly higher rate of deletions compared to NBB (p<0.05) for both 3p and 10q. A significantly higher deletion rate was seen at TTP compared to NTP at both the 3p (p<0.0001) and 10 q regions (p<0.0001). Significant correlations were seen between the rate of deletions between TTP and TBB at 3p (ρ=0.61, p<0.0001) and between TTP and TAB at 10q (ρ=0.64, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Chromosomal deletions of the 3p and 10q regions can be reliably detected by FISH in bronchoscopic biopsies and touch preparations. As one progresses from the contralateral normal bronchus to the bronchus on the side of tumor and the tumor itself, the percentage of chromosomal deletions increases in a statistically significant fashion,supporting an etiological role of these changes. Deletions at the bronchoscopically normal main and adjacent bronchus on the side of the tumor correlate with an increased deletion rate in the tumor itself. This suggests that FISH analysis of bronchoscopic brushes may be useful for identifying patients at high risk for developing NSCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.