OBJECTIVETo characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances in esophageal cancer (EC) with or without family history in Linzhou, Henan Province of China.

METHODSComparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 13 cases with positive family history of EC and 32 cases with negative family history of EC. RESULTS DNA copy number gains on chromosome 10q was observed only in the cases with postivie family history of EC (30%), and none in cases with a negative family history (P<0.05). DNA copy number losses on chromosome 15q were significantly higher in cases with postivie family history (38% vs 6%, P<0.05). The frequency of DNA copy number gains in 3q, 5p, 7p, 8q and DNA copy number losses in 3p, 19q, 9q were similar in the two groups (both beyond 20%) (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFrequent DNA copy number gains on chromosome 10q and losses on chromosome 15q in EC casers with postivie family history indicate that these chromosome sites may harbor the genes related to high susceptibility to EC. Such chromosomal sites as 3q, 5p, 7p, 8q, 3p, 19q, and 9q may contain important genes related with the environmental risk factors of esophageal carcinogenesis.