Targeting multiple genetic aberrations in isolated tumor cells by spectral fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Purpose: Tumorigenesis is characterized by the stepwise accumulation of multiple genetic changes that modify specific growth controls and cell survival. Conventional fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays reliably target one to three probes in a single hybridization. Simultaneous detection of more than three chromosomal or gene targets should increase the overall power of molecular cytogenetics by permitting detection of multiple genetic aberrations at the single cell level.