[Study of HRas1 minisatellite frequencies in children with thyroid papillary cancer]

The "rare" alleles of HRas1 gene minisatellite are well-known factor of predisposition to many kinds of cancer. We have studied HRas1 minisatellite frequencies among patients with papillary thyroid cancer which is related to consequences of Chernobyl accident. The HRas1 minisatellite was analysed in 32 patients who suffered from papillary carcinoma and underwent operation in 1996-2001 and in 75 Belorussian residents. Of 64 HRas1 alleles revealed in patients 14 were defined as "rare" (21.9%); in the control group we have detected 17 "rare" alleles (11.3%) of the examined 150 alleles. The higher frequency of "rare" HRas1 minisatellite alleles in patient group was statistically significant (p < 0.01). We can suppose that the "rare" alleles of HRas1 minisatellite are associated with increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer formation in children and adolescents after Chernobyl accident.