Genetic epidemiology of colon cancer

The cotton-top tamarin provides a unique opportunity for research into the genetic factors that predispose to colon cancer and their interaction with environmental agents. While a number of laboratory studies are important for identifying specific factors, a tremendous amount also can be learned from the genetic epidemiologic approach. In humans, the information provided by genetic and family studies of colorectal cancer have proved useful to demonstrate the existence of genetic predisposition. In this chapter, we will review such studies and show that relatives of an index case (propositus or proband) with common colorectal cancer are themselves at an increased risk for cancer, when compared to controls. Analogously, studies like this can shed light on the genetic predisposition to colon cancer in cotton-top tamarins, and help identify more productive lines of investigation that can optimize the use of this animal model in research.