IVF and retinoblastoma revisited

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the suggested association between IVF, retinoblastoma, and tumor methylation characteristics.

Design: Laboratory analysis.

Setting: National Retinoblastoma Center in the Netherlands.

Patient(s): Retinoblastoma tumors from seven children conceived by IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Intervention(s) and main outcome measure(s): DNA from frozen retinoblastoma tumors was tested for mutations in the RB1 gene and for methylation status of the RB1 promoter.

Result(s): For all tumors two causative RB1 mutations were found. None of the tumors showed hypermethylation of the RB1 promoter.

Conclusion(s): Examination of retinoblastoma tumors of seven children conceived by IVF or ICSI did not show hypermethylation of the RB1 promoter. This demonstrates that an association between IVF or ICSI and retinoblastoma through this epigenetic mechanism is unlikely.