Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Hereditary cancers: from discovery to intervention

A G Knudson1

  • 1Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.

Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs
|January 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

This conference focused on hereditary breast, ovarian, and colon cancers. Discoveries in gene mutations offer insights into cancer predisposition and potential intermediate endpoints for prevention strategies.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Of sea urchins and worms: development and cancer.

Cell death and differentiation·2003
Same author

Two genetic hits (more or less) to cancer.

Nature reviews. Cancer·2002
Same author

Chasing the cancer demon.

Annual review of genetics·2000
Same author

On a new genetic syndrome.

Medical and pediatric oncology·2000
Same author

Mechanism and relevance of ploidy in neuroblastoma.

Genes, chromosomes & cancer·2000
Same author

Inverse radiation dose-rate effects on somatic and germ-line mutations and DNA damage rates.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2000

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Hereditary cancers of the breast, ovary, and colon are common, fatal, and highly heritable.
  • Significant progress has been made in identifying genes associated with hereditary cancer predisposition.
  • Understanding the molecular basis of these cancers is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of hereditary cancers of the breast, ovary, and colon.
  • To discuss the role of gene mutations in cancer predisposition.
  • To explore the potential for intermediate endpoints in cancer prevention research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of cloned genes and mapped genetic loci associated with hereditary cancers.
  • Discussion of molecular details of hereditary colon cancer, including APC gene and DNA mismatch repair genes.
  • Exploration of the concept of intermediate endpoints for monitoring preventive measures.

Main Results:

  • Four genes predisposing to hereditary breast, ovarian, and colon cancers have been cloned, with another mapped.
  • The APC gene in familial polyposis coli leads to polyps with low malignant transformation probability, offering an intermediate endpoint.
  • Mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes accelerate polyp-to-cancer transformation in hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.

Conclusions:

  • The identification of specific genes and molecular pathways provides a foundation for understanding hereditary cancer risk.
  • The concept of intermediate endpoints, as exemplified in colon cancer, could be valuable for breast cancer research.
  • Further research into prevention and treatment strategies is essential, contingent on the availability of promising measures for individuals at high risk.

Related Experiment Videos