Induced genome instability as a potential screening test for cancer susceptibility?

The variety of mutations associated with carcinogenesis, along with variati ons in penetrance and environmental factors, complicate the genetic screeni ng for cancer predisposition. it is proposed here that the detection of inh erent genome instability as determined by increased mutagen susceptibility may enhance the identification of populations at risk for cancer. In suppor t for this hypothesis, our analysis reveals a strong association between mu tagen-induced chromosomal instability in peripheral blood lymphocytes and t he propensity for cancers of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and lung. DNA in stability in response to a variety of mutagens identifies patients with gas trointestinal, brain, endocrine, breast, skin, and hematologic tumors as we ll as individuals with cancer family syndromes, Induced genome instability therefore appears to be strongly linked to cancer predisposition, and prosp ective studies may yield a screening test utilizing a panel of mutagens to better identify populations at risk. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.