Chromosomal radiosensitivity during the G2 cell-cycle period of skin fibroblasts from individuals with familial cancer.

Abstract
Human cells after neoplastic transformation in culture had acquired an increased susceptibility to chromatid damage induced by X-irradiation during the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Evidence suggested that this results from deficient DNA repair during G2 phase. Cells derived from human tumors also showed enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. Skin fibroblasts from individuals with genetic diseases predisposing to a high risk of cancer, including ataxia-telangiectasia, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia and xeroderma pigmentosum exhibited enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. Apparently normal skin fibroblasts from individuals with familial cancer, i.e., from families with a history of neoplastic disease, also exhibit enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity. This radiosensitivity appears, therefore, to be associated with both a genetic predisposition to cancer and a malignant neoplastic state. Enhanced G2-phase chromosomal radiosensitivity may provide the basis for an assay to detect genetic susceptibility to cancer.

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