A statistical approach for array CGH data analysis

We demonstrate that existing methods for estimating the number of segments are not well adapted in the case of array CGH data, and we propose an adaptive criterion that detects previously mapped chromosomal aberrations. The performances of this method are discussed based on simulations and publicly available data sets. Then we discuss the choice of modeling for array CGH data and show that the model with a homogeneous variance is adapted to this context.Array CGH data analysis is an emerging field that needs appropriate statistical tools. Process segmentation and model selection provide a theoretical framework that allows precise biological interpretations. Adaptive methods for model selection give promising results concerning the estimation of the number of altered regions on the genome.Chromosomal aberrations often occur in solid tumors: tumor suppressor genes may be inactivated by physical deletion, and oncogenes activated via duplication in the genome. Gene dosage effect has become particularly important in the understanding of human solid tumor genesis and progression, and has also been associated with other diseases such as mental retardation [1,2]. Chromosomal aberrations can be studied using many different techniques, such as Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH), and Representational Difference Analysis (RDA). Although chromosome CGH has become a standard method for cytogenetic studies, technical limitations restrict its usefulness as a comprehensive screening tool [3]. Recently, the resolution of Comparative Genomic Hybridizations has been greatly improved using microarray technology [4,5].The purpose of array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization (array CGH) is to detect and map chromosomal aberrations, on a genomic scale, in a single experiment. Since chromosomal copy numbers can not be measured directly, two samples of genomic DNA (referred to as the reference and test DNAs) are differentially labelled with