Loss of 6q or 8p23 is associated with the total number of DNA copy number aberrations in adenoid cystic carcinoma.

We analyzed 10 adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) of the salivary glands by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) using DNA chips spotted with 4,030 bacterial artificial chromosome clones. After the data smoothing procedure was applied, a total of 88 DNA copy number aberrations (DCNAs) were detected. The frequent (≥30%) DCNAs were loss of 6q23-27 and 8p23, and gains of 6p, 6q23, 8p23 and 22q13. High-level gains were detected on 12q15, including MDM2 in two cases. These two cases showed an immunohistochemically high-level (>50%) expression of MDM2 and a low-level expression of p53 (<20%). Furthermore, the total number of DCNAs was significantly greater in ACCs with loss of 6q compared to other ACCs, and in ACCs without the loss of 8p23 compared to other ACCs, respectively. Although limitations exist, a-CGH detected several candidate chromosomal imbalances associated with accumulation of DCNAs in ACCs.