Bonn: Under the direction of the University of Bonn, scientists prove a rare genetic alteration. The formation of large numbers of polyps in the colon has a
high probability of developing into colon cancer, if left untreated. The
large-scale appearance of polyps is often due to a hereditary cause; in
this case the disease can occur in multiple family members. Under the
leadership of human geneticists of the University Hospital Bonn, a team
of researchers discovered genetic changes in the MSH3 gene in patients
and identified a new rare form of hereditary colon cancer. The results
have now been published in "The American Journal of Human Genetics".