Canadian Cancer Society researchers find shortened chromosomes linked to earlier cancer development

    Genetic condition occurs at younger ages in subsequent generations

    TORONTO, Feb. 15 /CNW/ - Canadian Cancer Society researchers have
discovered that certain changes in DNA may help predict which patients are at
higher risk for developing cancers related to an inherited genetic condition
called Li-Fraumeni syndrome. The results of the study are published in the
February 15 issue of Cancer Research.
    Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) affects children and young adults and
significantly increases their risk of developing cancer, most commonly brain,
bone, breast and soft tissue tumours. In this study, the researchers found
that shortened telomeres - the end-caps on chromosomes that help preserve
genetic integrity - are linked to the earlier onset of tumours. Specifically,
the researchers found that telomere length was much shorter in LFS children
with cancer than in their LFS siblings without cancer. Telomere length was
also shorter in these cancer patients than in patients without LFS.
    "This discovery, while at a basic stage, is crucial to enhancing our
understanding of the causes of cancer in some families," says Dr. Barbara
Whylie, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society. "We hope this knowledge can be
used to improve diagnosis and treatment of those at increased risk of the
disease."
    "One of the challenges of caring for patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome
is the unpredictable and varying ages at which cancer may develop," says lead
researcher Dr. David Malkin, a Canadian Cancer Society researcher and
co-director of the Cancer Genetics Program at The Hospital for Sick Children.
"This discovery could potentially provide a reliable way to assess the risk
and the appropriate screening tests for carriers of LFS."
    The research team analyzed blood samples of individuals from nine LFS
families with specific genetic mutations that may be associated with earlier
onset of cancer. In addition to finding significantly shorter telomere length
in LFS carriers with cancers than in LFS carriers without cancers, the
researchers also observed that telomere length in children with cancer was
even shorter than in parents with cancer.
    "That this genetic condition appears to occur earlier in age from parent
to child underscores the need for careful monitoring across generations," says
Malkin.
    The researchers note that the possible link between telomere maintenance
and the development and progression of cancer must be further studied,
particularly in respect to other conditions that appear to predispose people
to cancer.

    The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of
volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of
life of people living with cancer. It is the largest charitable funder of
cancer research in Canada. This year, the Society is funding more than
$47 million in leading-edge research projects across the country. When you
want to know more about cancer, visit our website at www.cancer.ca or call our
toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, contact: Alexa
Giorgi, Bilingual Communications Specialist, Canadian Cancer Society, (416)
934-5681, agiorgi@cancer.ca