Ellender, M., Harrison, J. D., Edwards, A. A., Bouffler, S. D. and Cox, R. Direct Single Gene Mutational Events Account for Radiation-Induced Intestinal Adenoma Yields in Apc^Min/ Mice. Radiat. Res. 163, 552–556 (2005).

Data on the induction of small intestinal tumors, predominantly adenomas, by X radiation in Apc^Min/ mice are reported. Comparison of these incidences with estimates of radiation-induced direct single gene mutation frequencies taken from the literature support the hypothesis that direct mutational loss of Apc is the sole requirement for initiation of adenoma. Furthermore, estimates of radiation-induced initiation of adenoma per target stem cell in this animal model are similar to or less than radiation-induced direct somatic gene mutation frequencies. Therefore, while the data reported here do not preclude a role for genomic instability in tumor progression, it is not necessary in this model to postulate the involvement of radiation-induced transmissible genomic instability in initiation of intestinal adenoma.