Getting a Clue from 1q: Gain of Chromosome 1q in Cancer

Cytogenetic abnormalities including the gain and loss of chromosomes play an important role in oncogenesis. Aberrations involving chromosome 1 are one of the most common anomalies reported among human neoplasms and have been observed in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. This review highlights the prognostic import of cytogenetic abnormalities involving 1q in childhood cancers and weighs the evidence supporting some candidate genes that may underlie this phenomenon. Gain of chromosome 1q has been frequently noted in pediatric malignancies including Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, Ewing sarcoma and brain tumors such as ependymoma and high grade gliomas and the presence of this anomaly is usually associated with disease recurrence and poor prognosis. Risk stratifications incorporating the presence or absence of additional 1q material are being integrated into many clinical management protocols. However the candidate genes on the long arm of chromosome 1 that serve as drivers of tumorigenesis still remain unidentified. Identification of these candidate genes and characterization of their specific functions may potentially help scientists develop therapeutic strategies that could improve prognosis in patients whose malignant cells harbor additional 1q material.