Abstract
In vitro tetraploidy (IVT+) in dermal fibroblast monolayer cultures has been studied in a series of patients with non-syndrome colon cancer and a control group to determine its value in identification of genetic predisposition for all colon cancers and its relevance to colon cancer occurrence on the basis of clinical history and pedigree data. Among 41 patients with colon cancer 18 (44%) had IVT+. In the control group 3 of 34 individuals (9%) showed IVT+. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between a positive family cancer history, sex, age, or the presence of IVT+. Further studies using this possible in vitro biomarker may clarify the role of genetics in non-syndrome colorectal cancer.