Monogenic, multigenic, and polygenic determinants of cancer risk

Abstract

Thesis (S.M. in Toxicology)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 23, 1st group).A formal series of conditions of lifetime genetic risk of cancer is explored, and algebra is provided for applications in human population genetics. Risks are considered in terms of alleles necessary and/or sufficient for carcinogenesis. Alleles are first classified with respect to their effects on reproductive fitness, and then in terms of their potential effects on carcinogenic pathways. The algebraic formulations for a series of genetic possibilities: monogenic, multigenic, and polygenic, are provided. It is expected that technology will be developed to identify and enumerate rare inherited alleles in large general and cancer proband populations.by Helen Banava.S.M.in Toxicolog