Telomere length in familial adenomatous polyposis-associated desmoids

The aim of this study was to establish the length of telomeres in familial adenomatous polyposis-associated desmoids. DNA from 21 desmoids and five desmoid precursor lesions was digested with HinfI and RsaI restriction enzymes. Southern blotting of the resolved fragments was performed, and the membranes were hybridized with a specific probe attached to a chemiluminescent substrate. Terminal restriction fragment lengths were measured. The median terminal restriction fragment length for the desmoids was 8 (range, 6-9.6) vs. 7.7 (range, 6.4-9.9) kb for their controls. Median terminal restriction fragment length for the desmoid precursor lesions was 9 (range, 7.8-10.4) vs. 8.8 (range, 6.8-10.9) kb for their controls. There was no statistically significant difference between samples and their controls. Immortality may not be necessary for desmoid development, or there may be other mechanisms maintaining telomere length. Novel treatments involving telomerase inhibition will be inappropriate in the management of desmoids.