SELECTED STUDIES

Mass Detection of Genetic 
Predisposition to Breast Cancer

A study done in Gezeerat Al-Akrad village, Assuit, Egypt*

 By Abd Allah, M.A.E.F. , Hammam, M.H. and Abd El-Rahman, E.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Egypt

* This study was supported by the Academy Medical Research Council (code "P5-Med-010-01" 2003)

In spite of the great wealth of research data everywhere especially on the Internet (Internet Ref.1), and although nearly in every research - differences that were statistically highly significant between various diseases and controls, dermatoglyphics could not be used satisfactorily in medicine. Ridge patterns form in the first 3 intra-uterine months and never change through out the life of the person. Then such variations in these patterns must carry the ability to characterize genetic predisposition (GP) to these diseases if proved satisfactorily to be associated with it. We used Discrimination Analysis on our data to develop Discrimination Functions (DF) to detect females with genetic predisposition to breast cancer (BC), (Abd Allah, MAEF et. al, 1996). With continuous improvement of these DF; we developed Abd Allah2 DFs (Abd Allah, MAEF et. al, 2001). Using this function; it was found that Right Hand Dermatoglyphics were best for detecting Right BC, and Left Hand Dermatoglyphics were best to detect Left BC (Abd Allah, MAEF et. al, 2001).

It was suggested that DFs for the prevalent chronic diseases especially malignances should be developed, then Human Dermatoglyphics Diseases Maps (HDDM) could be established which while keeping anatomical origins are also Functional. It can act as the low power of the microscope, leaving the highly costly gene tests to the developed countries with great funds to act as the high power of the microscope. So both will be synergistic, further HDDM can help to aggregate gene groups for better characterization by gene methods.

Aims

To detect Genetic Predisposition to BC on a large scale, in Gezeerat El-Akrad village, Assuit Governorate, Egypt using Abd Allah2 DFs.

Methods and Subjects

A database build up by total coverage, all household inhabitants consisting of Clinical as well as Maximal dermatoglyphic findings were input and analyzed using an Epi Info 2000 computer program. This database is intended to be the substrate on which all our DFs will be applied for Mass Scale Detection of the studied diseases. For BC mass detection, the first 1000 inhabitants were used. Out of them, 577 were females of all ages. The database as a document is the property of the Egyptian Academy of Sciences and Technology.

Results and Discussion

Table I shows the Genetically Predisposed +ve for RBC, +ve LBC, and -ve for both BCs. 56.8% were +ve for RBC, and 64.8% +ve for LBC. In fact, some of the hand prints looked incomplete due to difficult situations in the field, especially with regards to hand printing. Thereupon, all incomplete dermatoglyphics were rejected. RBC +ves became 35.7% (with 21.1% rejected as incomplete), LBC +ves were 50.8% (with 14% rejected as incomplete).

Mass Detection of BC Genetic Predisposition

Table II showed the percentage of females with RBC or LBC only, females with predisposition to both sides, and females who were bilaterally free.

Mass Detection of BC Genetic Predisposition

In fact, the +ve rates were unexpectedly high. This indicates that GP was too prevalent especially when compared to clinically diagnosed BCs. This may indicate that many persons with +ve GP can actually escape malignant change. This may also mean that environmental initiators, accelerators, and inhibitors are actually modifiable. Nevertheless, this high GP may parallel consanguinity in this area, which may amount to 40-60% of all marriages. This may raise much hope in the ability to neutralize these factors.

Longitudinal follow up of +vest and -vest appear highly indicated. True controls in any study for cancer were unknown; we have no evidence that one will not become malignant in the future. With DF use, we can segregate persons who are true controls.

Prospective studies may prove that GP -ve females may also develop malignancy which may become purely environmentally induced. At that moment, this will compliment our knowledge to the scientific precision needed.

Following up +ves may help to write the precision pages on the natural history of these diseases. THE CRITICAL STEP when evident malignancy starts may become spotted and determinants weighted, for successful intervention and may be actual prevention.

Conclusion

The use of DFs may start an era of precision researches which will upgrade our knowledge, and allow to study the natural history of diseases which may be conducive to ultimate prevention.

Development of DFs for the more prevalent chronic diseases especially cancer, will start a new era of precision researches developing the Human Dermatoglyphic Disease Maps (HDDMs). These may become classical tools for scientific manipulation and fight for peaceful destiny of man and minimization of disease burden on humanity.

References

1. Abd Allah, MAEF; Hammam, HM; El-Sherbini, F; and Fadel, KAEM. "Breast Cancer Predisposition Detection, Prevention and Control," Proceedings of The 8th Medical Conference of the Kuwait Medical Association, 1989. Abstract, page 33.

2. Abd Allah, MAEF; El-Motagally, K; Alaa El-Din, S; Mostafa, A; and Zidan, A. "Dermatoglyphic Variations in Breast Cancer," The New Egyptian Journal of Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 6, Supplement, December 1, 1996. Pages 37-45.

3. Abd Allah, MAEF; Alaa El-Din, S; Hosney, S; Hany, A; and Zidan, A. "Best Discrimination analysis for Predisposition Detection of Breast Cancer," Proceedings of The 2nd Conference in Medical and Biological Sciences, Zarka University, Jordan, April 2001. Abstract.

4. David G., Kleinbaum, and Lawrence Kupper in Applied regression Analysis and other Multivariable Methods." Duxubury Press, North Scituate, Mass., 1978. Pages 414-446.

5. Abd Allah, MAEF; Alaa El-Din, S.; Zidan, A; Al-Guindawy, S; and Hany A. "Dermatoglyphic characteristics of Hodgkin's disease," Proceedings of The 19th Annual Scientific Conference, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, 2001. Abstract, page 101.

6. Abd Allah, MAEF; Alaa El-Din, S.; Zidan, A; Al-Guindawy, S; and Hany A. "Discrimination functions for Predisposition Detection of Hodgkin's Disease," Proceedings of the 20th Annual Scientific Conference, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, December 2001. Abstract, page 86.

Internet Sources:

1. www.a-zbreastcancer.com/articles/afingerprints.htm

2. www.sma.org/smj/96jun16.htm

3. www.handanalysis.net/library/derm_history.htm

Dr. Mohamed A.E.F. Abd Allah is a professor of epidemiology at the faculty of medicine, Assuit University (Egypt). He was professor of family medicine in department of community medicine, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli (Libya) and at King Saud University, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). He is the author and co-author of 42 published papers. His email is fattah1935@yahoo.com.

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