title: One-hit effects and cancer.
abstract: This perspective on Bellacosa et al. (beginning on p. 48 in this issue of the journal) discusses the important biology of microscopically normal tissues in carriers of germ-line BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The work of Bellacosa et al. is an important step toward discerning which pathways may be altered when one BRCA allele is inactivated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Iniesta
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wicha
authors.forename: Sofia D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Merajver
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D024522:Genes, BRCA2; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*