Genetics of cancer predisposition and progression

Summary The development of human cancer is a multistep process that entails a progressively more malignant phenotype through the evolution of cellular subsets with increasing numbers of genetic alterations. Here we review the molecular genetics of human cancer predisposition and progression and describe paradigmatic cancer types and cancer syndromes. We also briefly consider the future impact of molecular biology on cancer diagnosis and treatment.Abbreviations APC adenomatous polyposis coli - BWS Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome - DCC deletion in colorectal cancer - EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor - FAP familial adenomatous polyposis - IGF insulin-like growth factor - LOH loss of heterozygosity - MEN multiple endocrine neoplasia - NF neurofibromatosis - NSCLC non-small-cell lung cancer - RCC renal-cell carcinoma - SCLC small-cell lung cancer - VHL von Hippel-Lindau syndrome - WAGR Wilms' tumor, aniridia, genitourinary anomalies, mental retardation syndrome - WT Wilms' tumor - ZF zinc finger