Genomic profiling of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

Background. Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCC) are rare tumors with no etiological link to tobacco and alcohol, as opposed to other squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). Little is known about the genetic changes in SNSCC. Methods. DNA copy number changes of SNSCC were analyzed by MLPA (multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification) and microarray comparative genomic hybridization (maCGH), and results were related to clinico-pathological features. Results. Copy number losses most frequently included genes at 9p21, 13q14, 17p13, 17q21 and 18q11. Frequent gains were observed on 8q24, 11q13, 17q12, 19p13 and 20q11-q13. Conclusion. The genomic profile of SNSCC showed a number of chromosomal regions with copy number changes similar to those known in HNSCC, in spite of the differences in etiology.