Inherited susceptibility and acquired allelic imbalance in rat mammary carcinogenesis

Individual genetically determined susceptibility to cancer as well as acquired epigenetic and genetic organ specific alterations are important considerations in choosing target populations for chemopreventive trials. These individual epigenetic and genetic alterations can also serve as potential biomarkers for chemoprevention clinical trials. In order to model these potential markers for chemoprevention investigations, we are examining a series of interrelated rat models. Inbred rats vary in their susceptibility to mammary cancer induction by environmental agents. For example, the WF strain is highly susceptible to chemically induced mammary cancer while the Cop rat is almost completely resistant. The F344 is intermediate in susceptibility to chemically induced mammary cancer. These differential susceptibilities are inherited in a dominant pattern. For example, resistance is due to the inheritance of Mcs gene(s) which likely act by altering the differentiation lineage of mammary epithelial cells. As tumors form in the mammary glands of these rats, they acquire additional epigenetic and genetic alterations. Epigenetic initiation is a very frequent cellular event following carcinogen exposure which may predispose cells to genetic change including allelic imbalance. For example, following a standard dose of NMU or DMBA over 1% of cells are epigenetically initiated. During the carcinogenesis process, initiated cells may acquire genetic change such as oncogene activation and allelic imbalance. Interestingly, the pattern of allelic imbalance appears to be an inherited trait. For example, a non-random loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in rat chromosome 1 following DMBA only occurs in certain strains, such as Cop rats. Interestingly this change does not occur following initiation by ionizing radiation. It will thus be important to identify these epigenetic and genetic events which underlie mammary carcinogenesis as well as determine their patterns of inherited predisposition and temporal occurrence. Such knowledge is critical if we are to develop new molecular markers for chemoprevention trials.