Genetic approaches to the study of uterine leiomyomata

The use of a variety of genetic methods to dissect underlying molecular events in tumors continues to be a highly successful approach. Cytogenetic evaluations of uterine leiomyomata have revealed consistent rearrangements that have provided biological landmarks for positional cloning experiments. Genetic linkage analysis makes possible the identification of genes that might predispose women to develop myomas. New gene expression chip methods to study globally the transcripts present in uterine leiomyomata promise insight into molecular pathways in tumor biology.