Does the evidence matter in medicine? The retinoblastoma paradigm.
Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common intraocular malignant tumour in childhood, with an incidence of 1 in 15,000 live births. Complete information on this rare tumour can be easily accessed through the internet, although many aspect concerning the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease, are still controversial. The "two hit" theory, formulated in 1971 to explain the variegated clinical expression of the disease, is based on the idea that single gene mutation may determine the development of cancer. However, this view does not take into account the most recent evidences showing the role of aneuploidy and chromosome instability in cancer. Also, a number of other genes and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the genesis of retinoblastoma. More importantly, the "two hit" theory makes predictions, concerning the age distribution of the tumour, its mode of "transmission" (hereditary retinoblastoma), and its pathogenesis, which are not fulfilled by the clinical reality. Overall, the "two hit" theory represents a rather simplistic and outdated model to explain tumour development and clinical evolution of retinoblastoma.
Mastrangelo
Domenico
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology Unit, University of Siena, Italy. mastrangelo@unisi.it
De Francesco
Sonia
S
Di Leonardo
Aldo
A
Lentini
Laura
L
Hadjistilianou
Theodora
T
D017677:Age Distribution; D000782:Aneuploidy; D043171:Chromosomal Instability; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D009154:Mutation; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*