Genetic Abnormalities in Breast Cancer Tumors and Relationships to Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors Using Twins.
Abstract
Little is known about factors that produce genetic abnormalities in breast tumors; germline mutations explain only a few cases. Environmental determinants as well as unrecognized genetic mechanisms may be involved. Using identical and fraternal twin pairs concordant for breast cancer, patterns of somatic abnormalities will be compared to other tumor characteristics and to breast cancer risk factors. Breast cancer risk factors will also be compared in breast cancer-discordant identical twin pairs having proband tumors with and without specific somatic abnormalities. In this first year of the study, procedures have been developed for (1) contacting twins to explain the study and obtain an informed consent, (2) obtaining blocks and slides from hospitals, (3) cataloging and storing them in the laboratory, (4) processing the blocks and returning them to the hospitals, (5) performing immunohistochemistry for p53 and HER-2/neu, and (6) data base management. At present we have obtained 83 blocks/slides from MZ concordant twins and have performed immunohistochemistry on 33 specimens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA303152
Entities
People
- Thomas M. Mack
Organizations
- University of Southern California