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Genotype, phenotype and cancer: Role of low penetrance genes and environment in tumour susceptibility

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Abstract

Role of heredity and lifestyle in sporadic cancers is well documented. Here we focus on the influence of low penetrance genes and habits, with emphasis on tobacco habit in causing head and neck cancers. Role of such gene-environment interaction can be well studied in individuals with multiple primary cancers. Thus such a biological model may elucidate that cancer causation is not solely due to genetic determinism but also significantly relies on lifestyle of the individual.

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Abbreviations

HNSCC:

Head and neck squanous cell carcinoma

MMR:

mismatch repair

NAT :

N-acetyltransferase

SNP:

single nucleotide polymorphism

UADT:

upper aero-digestive tract

XME:

Xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme

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Correspondence to Rita Mulherkar.

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Kotnis, A., Sarin, R. & Mulherkar, R. Genotype, phenotype and cancer: Role of low penetrance genes and environment in tumour susceptibility. J Biosci 30, 93–102 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02705154

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