Mechanism of Tumorigenesis in Familial Polyposis Coli

Abstract

Familial polyposis coli (FPC) is an autosomal dominant genetic trait characterized by numerous colorectal adenomatous polyps in the second or third decade. Molecular and genetic analydis of FPC is important for understanding the mechanism of tumorigenesis in colon and rectum. Recene progresses in molecular analyses of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in colorectal tumorigenesis were reviewed comparing the FPC with sporadic cases. We obtained evidences that the K-ras gene were activated in dome FPC tumors and observed frequent loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 5, 14, 17, 18 and 22. These results indicate that accumulation of variofs genetic alterations is involved in colorectal tumorigenesis in the FPC.