[Familial cancer and oncogenic factors]

The recent remarkable progress in molecular biology has revealed that various kinds of genetic alteration occur in cancers. Recently, many genes that cause hereditary cancer have been identified. For example, hMSH2 and hMLH1, which are known as DNA mismatch repair genes have been found to cause HNPCC (hereditary non-poliposis colorectal cancer). Mutation of RET oncogene has been recognized in the families of MEN (multiple endocrine neoplasia) type II. Mutations of the tumor suppressor genes are the most common changes in the genes of familial cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor genes that have recently been identified as familial breast and ovarian cancer, familial breast cancer genes. This paper reviewed the hereditary cancer families in which genetic alterations have been revealed and the recent progress in mapping and cloning of familial breast cancer candidate genes which have not been identified.