Heritability of chromosomal radiosensitivity in breast cancer patients: a pilot study with the lymphocyte micronucleus assay.
Of breast cancer patients, 30% are sensitive in a lymphocyte assay of radiation-induced chromosome damage (micronucleus induction) compared with 10% of healthy controls. Twenty-two first-degree relatives of 11 sensitive patients had an average micronucleus yield significantly higher than that of 68 controls. This suggests that radiosensitivity in this assay may be an inherited characteristic associated with predisposition to breast cancer.
Burrill
W
W
CRC Department of Cancer Genetics, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Withington, Manchester, UK.
Barber
J B
JB
Roberts
S A
SA
Bulman
B
B
Scott
D
D
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects