No evidence of linkage to chromosome 1q42.2–43 in 131 prostate cancer families from the ACTANE Consortium

Genetic linkage studies worldwide have proposed various chromosomal localizations for prostate cancer susceptibility genes. A recent study found evidence for linkage to chromosome 1q42.2–43. The aim of our study was to attempt to confirm these findings by performing linkage analysis in 131 families with multiple prostate cancer cases selected from the ACTANE (Anglo, Canada, Texas, Australia, Norway, EU Biomed) Consortium. Parametric and non-parametric linkage (NPL) analyses were performed. Two-point LOD scores failed to show evidence of linkage at any marker (maximum two-point LOD score = 0.40 at recombination fraction θ = 0.2 with marker D1S2850). Using a multipoint heterogeneity analysis, the estimated proportion of families linked to this putative locus (α) was 0% (95% CI = 0.00–0.33). Non-parametric linkage analysis also found no evidence of linkage (maximum NPL score = –0.12, P = 0.55). This analysis of 131 ACTANE families does not support the presence of a locus for a prostate cancer susceptibility gene at 1q42.2–43. Although we cannot rule out the existence of such a locus, analysis indicates that less than 16% of families could be linked to this region. These findings may be a reflection of the locus heterogeneity involved in this disease indicating that there are still other major susceptibility loci to be identified. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com