WERNERS-SYNDROME - CHROMOSOME ANALYSES OF CULTURED FIBROBLASTS AND MITOGEN-STIMULATED LYMPHOCYTES

Two cases of Werner's syndrome are reported. Fibroblasts derived from both patients revealed reduced population doubling numbers. Chromosoma l analyses for fibroblasts from both patients and lymphocytes from one patient revealed that chromosomal aberrations occur frequently and ra ndomly, Although some of the chromosomal aberrations involved sites wh ere tumour suppressor genes have been mapped, neither of our patients demonstrated malignancy. Chromosomal aberration at one critical site m ay not be sufficient to induce cancer or additional factors may be nec essary.