ABSTRACT
Microarrays have been exploited most extensively for gene expression studies, but other applications have been recently developed, including the use of arrays for the detection of gains and losses of genomic DNA. Fluctuations in DNA sequence copy number with concomitant microscopic or cryptic chromosomal aberrations are becoming increasingly correlated with phenotypic abnormalities [1]. Gene amplification and deletion are common alterations occurring in cancer cells and, like other structural changes, are associated with genomic instability and contribute to the process of carcinogenesis. The development of most human neoplasms follows a defined series of histopathological stages, a process that involves multiple genetic changes such as translocations, deletions, duplications, and alterations in chromosomal copy number changes. Importantly, the DNA amplification or losses frequently involve oncogenes and tumor suppression genes that play an important role in the cell cycle control and their alteration affects cancer growth.
