MYH gene mutation tied to colorectal cancer
Last Updated: November 09, 2004



NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Mutations of the MutY human homologue
(MYH) gene, a gene involved in repairing oxidative damage to DNA,
appear to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer,
US and Canadian researchers report in the November 3rd issue of the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute.


"It appears that about 1% of all colorectal cancer cases in North
America are caused by biallelic MYH gene mutations and relatives of
these cases may be at very increased risk of colorectal polyps and
colorectal cancer," senior author Dr. Steven Gallinger told Reuters
Health. Moreover, he added, monoallelic "mutation carriers are
probably at increased risk as well, although more work is needed to
refine the risk estimate."

Dr. Gallinger of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto and colleagues came to
these conclusions after studying a series of 1238 colorectal cancer
patients and 1255 healthy controls from Ontario. In all, there were
41 MYH mutation carriers among the patients and 21 among the controls.

In particular, it was found that compared with noncarriers, those
with MYH mutations had an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Moreover, they also had an increased risk (odds ratio 1.54) of having
first- or second-degree relatives with colorectal cancer.

The investigators call for larger studies, but suggest the
findings "be considered in current genetic testing practices and in
screening colonoscopy recommendations for individuals at high risk of
colorectal cancer."





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