The spectrum of the APC pathogenic mutations in Slovak FAP patients.

OBJECTIVES: The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene was analyzed for germline mutations in 113 familial adenomatous polyposis suspected families from all over Slovakia. Mutation screening was performed using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing.

RESULTS: Mutations in the APC gene were found in 39 (34.5%) Slovak families and 25 different pathogenic mutations throughout the APC gene were identified. Of these, 12 mutations were deletion, one was insertion and 12 were base substitution.

CONCLUSIONS: Molecular diagnostics of Slovak FAP families revealed broad palette of mutations in crucial APC gene. The patients with identified APC gene mutations were assigned to a specific therapeutic FAP program.