EXPRESSION OF COMMON FRAGILE SITES IN LYMPHOCYTES OF WILMS-TUMOR IN PATIENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND SIBLINGS

Fragile site expression in blood lymphocytes of 56 individuals, includ ing 11 Wilms tumor patients, family members, and controls, was studied by 5-fluorodeoxyuridine induction with caffeine enhancement. Signific antly elevated expression of fra(12)(p13) was observed in the patient group, compared with controls. One patient clinically diagnosed with t he Wilms tumor, aniridia, and genitourinary and retardation (WAGR) syn drome revealed constitutional deletion of 11p13. Expression of fra(11) (p13) in this individual was observed only on the nondeleted homologue . Among the family members studied, only one sibling showed elevated e xpression of fra(11)(p13).