Background: To explore the regularity of abnormal telomeric associations in cellular chromosome of human lung cancer.
Methods: The rate of telomeric associations was detected in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 , peripheral blood lymphocytes in 15 patients with lung cancer , and in patients with non-cancerous diseases and normal adults as control by chromosome preparation assay.
Results: A highly significant difference in the rate of telomeric associations was found between lung cancer group and control group ( P < 0. 005) . Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 had the highest rate of telomeric associations in all groups ( P < 0. 005) . Moreover , there was significant difference in the rate of telomeric associations in idiogramB , idiogram C and idiogram D between lung cancer group and control group (idiogram B , P < 0. 05 ; idiogram C , idiogram D , P < 0. 005) .
Conclusions: Compared with control group , human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and lung cancer chromosome has higher telomeric associations and most of themoccured in idiogramB , idiogram C and idiogram D. It will provide worthwhile data of cell genetics for further research work on early diagnosis and prognosis in human lung cancer.