We attempted to identify deleted segments in two model tumor suppressor gene loci on chromosomes 13q14 and 17p13 that were associated with clonal expansion of in situ bladder preneoplasia using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-based whole-organ histologic and genetic mapping. For mapping with SNPs, the sequence-based maps spanning approximately 27 and 5 Mb centered around RB1 and p53, respectively, were assembled. The integrated gene and SNP maps of the regions were used to select 661 and 960 SNPs, which were genotyped by pyrosequencing. Genotyping of SNPs was performed on DNA samples corresponding to histologic maps of the entire bladder mucosa in human cystectomy specimens with invasive urothelial carcinoma. By using this approach, we have identified deleted regions associated with clonal expansion of intraurothelial neoplasia; which ranged from 0.001 to 4.3 Mb (average 0.67 Mb) and formed clusters of discontinuous deleted segments. The high resolution of such maps is a prerequisite for future positional targeting of genes involved in early phases of bladder neoplasia. This approach also permits analysis of the overall genomic landscape of the involved region and discloses that a unique composition of noncoding DNA characterized by a high concentration of repetitive sequences may predispose to deletions. Laboratory Investigation (2005) 85, 689-701. doi:10.1038/labinvest.3700270Keywords: single nucleotide polymorphic site; bladder cancer; genetic mapping; clonal expansion of preneoplasia Cancer develops via multiple, complex steps, many of which precede the development of microscopically recognizable preneoplastic conditions. 1-3 Recent studies indicate that common human malignancies, including bladder cancer, begin as clonal in situ expansion of phenotypically normal cells, which may form large plaques involving the affected mucosa. 4,5 Identification of chromosomal regions and their target genes involved in the development of such clinically and microscopically occult preneoplastic lesions may provide valuable clues to the incipient events of human carcinogenesis. 6,7 Ultimately, the results could lead to the development of novel markers for early cancer detection and prevention.We have previously reported the identification of several putative tumor suppressor gene loci involved in early preinvasive phases of human bladder cancer. [8][9][10][11] These loci were found by searching for allelic imbalances using DNA hypervariable markers and a whole-organ histologic and genetic mapping strategy developed in our laboratory. The ultimate identification of genes mapping to the deleted regions was hampered by the low resolution of the original recombination-based maps and the absence of continuous genome sequence maps, which were not available in the early phases of the human genome project.In this paper, we present the strategy that combines whole-organ histologic maps and highresolution genetic mapping using single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) sites. It facilitates precise iden-