Hyperplastic polyps are common and are generally thought to have no role in the development of colorectal cancer. Hyperplastic polyposis, on the other hand, is recognised by the World Health Organisation as a disease and is thought to be associated with a significant risk of colorectal cancer.

A multi-centre research group led from the University of Newcastle by Professors Chris Day and Ann Daly and funded by the Department of Health is studying the genetics of drug-induced liver injury

The study, involves collecting DNA from cases and suitable controls for a candidate gene study with the aim of identifying polymorphisms predictive of the development of drug-related liver injury and hence allowing the possibility of prevention. We are depending on physicians treating drug-induced liver injury cases, particularly BSG members, to put us in contact with suitable patients.

Hereditary cancer syndromes have provided the samples for linkage analysis that made possible the identification of novel cancer-causing genes. Diffuse type gastric cancer remains one of the more common and aggressive human cancers. We propose to collect information from families with clustered cases of gastric cancer and identify pedigrees, which suggest a pattern of autosomal dominant inheritance. Linkage and candidate gene analysis in these pedigrees will be used to identify a potential major susceptibility locus. Mutations have been identified rarely in individuals under the age of 50 so it appears justified to search for germline mutations in gastric cancer cases diagnosed under the age of 45.