[Antioncogenes: models for tumors in children]

The chromosomal assignment of genes responsible for malformation syndromes associated with increased susceptibility to malignancy could be determined owing to specific constitutional chromosomal abnormalities or to family studies. For certain types of tumors, somatic chromosomal rearrangements (loss of alleles) occur at the same locus indicating the presence of a recessive suppressor gene or an antioncogène. For other types of tumors chromosomal rearrangements involving regions different from the locus for predisposition suggest genetic heterogeneity and/or implication of genes for tumor progression. These genes which are also involved in development and regulation of differentiation and cell growth, may undergo a differential genomic imprinting.