Muir–Torre-like syndrome in Fhit-deficient mice

To investigate the role of the Fhit gene in carcinogen induction of neoplasia, we have inactivated one Fhit allele in mouse embryonic stem cells and produced (129/SvJ × C57BL/6J) F(1) mice with a Fhit allele inactivated (+/−). Fhit +/+ and +/− mice were treated intragastrically with nitrosomethylbenzylamine and observed for 10 wk posttreatment. A total of 25% of the +/+ mice developed adenoma or papilloma of the forestomach, whereas 100% of the +/− mice developed multiple tumors that were a mixture of adenomas, squamous papillomas, invasive carcinomas of the forestomach, as well as tumors of sebaceous glands. The visceral and sebaceous tumors, which lacked Fhit protein, were similar to those characteristic of Muir–Torre familial cancer syndrome.