Role of chromosome 1q copy number variation in hepatocellular carcinoma

Chromosome 1q often has been observed to be amplified in hepatocellular carcinoma. This review summarizes literature reports of multiple genes that have been proposed as possible 1q amplification drivers. These largely fall within 1q21-1q23. In addition, publicly available copy number alteration data from The Cancer Genome Atlas project were used to identify additional candidate genes involved in carcinogenesis. The most frequent location for gene amplification was 1q22, consistent with the results of the literature search. The genes TPM3 and NUF2 were found to be candidates whose amplification and/or mRNA up-regulation was most highly associated with poorer hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes.