Genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization of ocular marginal zone B cell lymphoma: Comparison with pulmonary and nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma

The genetic changes in marginal zone B cell lymphomas (MZBCL) vary according to the anatomical region. This study aimed to investigate genomic aberrations in ocular MZBCL and to compare them with those of tumors from other anatomical sites. The study population comprised 24 cases of primary ocular MZBCL, 11 pulmonary MZBCL, and seven nodal MZBCL. For array CGH, fresh tumor tissues were analyzed with a genome-wide scanning array containing 2,304 BAC/PAC clones which cover the whole human genome at a resolution of 1.3 Mb. FISH analysis for MALT1 gene alteration was performed for ocular and nodal MZBCL and RT-PCR for the detection of API2-MALT1 transcripts was performed for pulmonary MZBCL. The recurrent genomic alterations in ocular MZBCL were losses of chromosome bands 6q23.3 (9/24, 38%), 7q36.3 (2/24, 8%), and 13q34 (2/24, 8%), and gains of chromosomes 3 (9/24, 38%), and 15 (4/24, 16%), and chromosome arms 18q (4/24, 16%), and 6p (2/24, 8%). The t(1 1;18)(q21;q21) was not detected. The genomic alterations of pulmonary MZBCL included recurrent loss of 18q21 (2/11, 19%). A t(1 1;18)(q21;q21) fusion transcript was detected in five out of eight cases (63%). Nodal MZBCL showed neither recurrent genome alterations nor any change in MALT1 gene copy number. In conclusion, the array CGH profile of ocular MZBCL is distinct from those of pulmonary and nodal MZBCL. Deletion of chromosome band 6q23.3 in ocular MZl is a novel finding and may constitute a crucial genetic alteration in the pathogenesis of ocular MZBCL.