Search results for "two hit theory"
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Retinoblastoma epidemiology: Does the evidence matter?
2007
It has been proposed that retinoblastoma is 'caused' by two sequential mutations affecting the RB1 gene, but this is a rather outdated view of cancer aetiology that does not take into account a large amount of new acquisitions such as chromosomal and epigenetic alterations. Retinoblastoma remains probably the only cancer in which the rather simplistic 'two hit' mutational model is still considered of value, although cancer is known to be associated with genomic and microsatellite instability, defects of the DNA mismatch repair system, alterations of DNA methylation and hystone acethylation/deacethylation, and aneuploidy. Moreover, as it is shown herein, the predictions made by the 'two hit'…
Does the evidence matter in medicine? The retinoblastoma paradigm.
2007
Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common intraocular malignant tumour in childhood, with an incidence of 1 in 15,000 live births. Complete information on this rare tumour can be easily accessed through the internet, although many aspect concerning the aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease, are still controversial. The "two hit" theory, formulated in 1971 to explain the variegated clinical expression of the disease, is based on the idea that single gene mutation may determine the development of cancer. However, this view does not take into account the most recent evidences showing the role of aneuploidy and chromosome instability in cancer. Also, a number of other genes and epigenetic mech…