title: Genome-wide association studies of cancer.
abstract: Knowledge of the inherited risk for cancer is an important component of preventive oncology. In addition to well-established syndromes of cancer predisposition, much remains to be discovered about the genetic variation underlying susceptibility to common malignancies. Increased knowledge about the human genome and advances in genotyping technology have made possible genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of human diseases. These studies have identified many important regions of genetic variation associated with an increased risk for human traits and diseases including cancer. Understanding the principles, major findings, and limitations of GWAS is becoming increasingly important for oncologists as dissemination of genomic risk tests directly to consumers is already occurring through commercial companies. GWAS have contributed to our understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and will shed light on biologic pathways and possible new strategies for targeted prevention. To date, however, the clinical utility of GWAS-derived risk markers remains limited.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Genetics Service andthe Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, NY, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Zsofia K
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thom
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: Jeffrey N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Weitzel
authors.forename: Noah D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kauff
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Devlin
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Offit
mesh_terms: D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors