Objective   To characterize the profile of chromosomal imbalances in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) with or without family history (GCA FH+ or GCA FH-) in Linzhou

Henan province

and to provide molecular basis to identify the related genes to GCA hereditary susceptibility.    Methods   Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 14 cases with GCA FH+ and 28 cases with GCA FH-.    Results   More frequent DNA copy number gains were observed in GCA FH+ than in GCA FH-. Those with the frequency over 20% were as follows: 20p (FH+ 50% vs FH- 21%)

5p (FH+ 50% vs FH- 18%)

6q (FH+ 43% vs FH- 18%)

16q (FH+ 36% vs FH- 14%

P0.05). More frequent DNA copy number losses were seen in GCA FH+ than in GCA FH-. Those 20% were as follows: 4q (FH+ 43% vs FH- 14%

P0.05). Frequent DNA copy number gains in 1q

3q

6q/p

7p

8q

13q/p

20q/p and frequent DNA copy number losses in 1p

17q/p

19p were both frequent in GCA FH+ and GCA FH- (20%

P0.05).    Conclusion   Frequent DNA copy number gains on chromosome 20p

5p

6q

and 16q and losses on chromosome 15q in GCA FH+ indicate that these chromosome sites may harbor the genes related with GCA high susceptibility. The similar frequent DNA copy number gains or losses on chromosome 1q/p

3q

6q/p

7p

8q

13q/p

20q/p

17q/p and 19p in GCA FH+ and GCA FH- suggest that genes located in these chromosome sites may be related with environmental risk factors in gastric cardia carcinogenesis.