Cancer genes associated with phenotypes in monoallelic and biallelic mutation carriers: new lessons from old players.
Autosomal dominant cancer predisposition genes for common cancers such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer have been well recognized for over a decade. Monoallelic mutations in these genes are associated with high risks of adult-onset cancer. In recent years, it has become apparent that biallelic mutations in some of these genes, such as BRCA2, MSH2 and MLH1, result in distinctive phenotypes, including childhood cancer predisposition. Conversely, it has also become evident that some genes which cause autosomal recessive cancer predisposition syndromes such as Fanconi anaemia and ataxia-telangiectasia are associated with modestly increased risks of adult cancers in monoallelic mutation carriers. These observations raise interesting implications with respect to the identification and phenotypic characterization of cancer predisposition genes.
Rahman
Nazneen
N
Section of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, UK. nazneen.rahman@icr.ac.uk
Scott
Richard H
RH
D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000235:genetics; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D053843:DNA Mismatch Repair; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005199:Fanconi Anemia / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D009857:Oncogenes; D010641:Phenotype; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C576324:ATM protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases