CHROMOSOMAL TRANSLOCATIONS IN HUMAN CANCER

Chromosomal abnormalities in tumours were recognized at the end of the last century but their significance has only recently become clear. D istinct translocations in leukaemias and in solid tumours lead to the activation of proto-oncogene products or, more commonly, creation of t umour-specific fusion proteins. The proteins in both categories are of ten transcription factors and thus disruption of transcriptional contr ol plays a major role in the aetiology of cancer. Fusion proteins form ed after chromosomal translocations are common in a range of tumour ty pes; these are unique tumour antigens and are therefore potential targ ets for therapy design.