Inherited cancers associated with the RET proto-oncogene

Mutations in the RET proto-oncogene have been identified in the constitutional DNA of patients with the inherited disorders multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and 2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. This review focuses on the discoveries over the past year that pointed to RET as a candidate gene, and on the nature and spectrum of what appear to be dominant mutations associated with an inherited predisposition to tumor development.