SENSITIVITY TO MITOMYCIN-C - A MARKER OF TRANSFORMATION IN ADENOMATOSIS OF COLO-RECTUM

Genetic instability of chromosomes is a characteristic feature of auto somal recessive syndromes and their association with increased suscept ibility to cancer is well known. In this study, baseline and mitomycin C (MMC)- induced chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchang es (SCEs) in blood lymphocytes of patients with adenomatosis of the co lon and rectum were studied. The baseline frequency of chromosomal abe rrations and SCEs revealed a significant increase in precancerous and cancerous lesions compared to those of controls. The MMC-induced chrom osomal aberrations and SCEs showed differential response between affec ted subjects (adenomatosis and cancer patients) and normal group. The results thus indicate that chromosomal instability, as observed in pre cancerous and cancerous lesions, is associated with their sensitivity to MMC and that sensitivity to mutagen-induced chromosome damage can s erve as an indicator of genetic susceptibility to risk of cancer.