Allelic imbalance in three distinct regions on chromosome 17q in sporadic breast cancer correlates with prognostic parameters

Genetic heterogeneity of breast cancer involves multiple alterations of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. These genetic alterations may be important for initiation and progression of this malignancy. In order to find a parameter useful for the prognosis of breast cancer, allelic imbalance at five loci on chromosome 17q was examined in 63 sporadic primary breast tumours. The loci are located in three distinct regions frequently deleted in sporadic breast tumours. Allelic imbalance was found in 48–62% of cancers. A significant correlation between allelic imbalance and five parameters associated with aggressive tumour behaviour was observed. Allelic imbalance was associated with aneuploidy, oestrogen and progesterone receptor negativity, positive lymph node status and high tumour grading. Our results support the evidence for the existence of several tumour suppressor genes on chromosome 17q and allow the presumption that allelic imbalance at chromosome 17q loci may be a useful prognostic parameter in breast cancer.