Articles tagged with Cancer Genetics
A new study found people with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including bowel, uterus, ovarian, kidney, stomach, and bladder cancers. The study also revealed a moderately increased risk of breast and pancreatic cancer in those with the condition.
A prospective study links Lynch syndrome with significantly increased risks of breast and pancreatic cancers, while relatives without genetic mutations have no increased risk. The study provides clearer estimates of cancer risks associated with Lynch syndrome and may inform screening and early detection strategies.
Researchers found striking similarities between genetic signatures of human breast cancer and those of stem cells in mouse embryos, revealing a new way to predict and personalize cancer therapies. The discovery could lead to the development of targeted treatments for aggressive forms of triple-negative breast cancer.
A study by researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues identified 27 genes involved in inflammation as related to ovarian cancer risk. The study found that variants in five of these genes, such as IL1A, were associated with lower ovarian cancer risk.
A study by UNC researchers has discovered how a genetic defect underlying congenital heart disease distorts cardiac muscle cells, preventing them from forming a fully functioning heart. Treatment with a drug that regulates cell shape rescues the cardiac defect, offering therapeutic avenues for future treatment.
University of Michigan researchers use a liquid laser to detect genetic mutations that might predispose someone to a particular type of cancer. This new technique amplifies the difference in signals, making it hundreds of times brighter than current methods.
A new study from Boston University has discovered 13 genetic loci associated with the age of menopause onset, providing insight into hormonal regulation and DNA repair. The research team found that genes related to immune function and auto-immune disease are also linked to menopause timing.
A faulty version of the RHBDF2 gene is responsible for tylosis with oesophageal cancer, a rare inherited condition. The study reveals that this gene malfunction leads to uncontrolled cell growth and division, causing cancer.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center discovered genetic signatures associated with bile duct cancer, which may account for nearly a quarter of tumors. The findings suggest that growth-enhancing mutations in two genes could be treated with targeted therapies.
A research team has identified the genes and proteins that damage muscle cells in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a common form of inherited muscular dystrophy. The discovery could lead to a biomarker-based test for diagnosis, as well as future treatments.
LSUHSC researchers found that the ISG15 pathway triggers a cellular defense system that disrupts normal cytoskeletal function and increases cancer cell metastasis. This discovery provides a novel therapeutic target for future drug discovery and has important implications in other cancers.
Using a mathematical model, scientists found that spatial tissue structure slows down genetic mutation accumulation, delaying cancer onset. The study suggests that structured populations take longer to reach critical mutations, reducing the risk of cancer.
A new study identified a gene mutation that dates back to 11,600 B.C. and causes a rare vitamin B12 deficiency called Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome. The mutation was found in people of Arabic, Turkish, and Jewish ancestry and is believed to have originated in a single prehistoric individual.
A new study is assessing the feasibility of identifying specific genetic markers in cancer patients' tumours to deliver more targeted treatments. The Lawson research team has developed a process for analyzing tumour DNA to provide a genetic profile report within three weeks, helping oncologists create tailored treatment plans.
A study found that half of tumors from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients expressed genes normally found in stem cells and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tumors. Additionally, many of these AML-like T-ALL tumors contained specific mutations associated with cancer progression.
A large retrospective study of childhood cancer survivors found no increased risk of birth defects in their children. Researchers examined data from over 20,000 survivors and found that exposure to chemotherapy and radiation did not lead to genetic birth defects.
Scientists at UCL have discovered three new gene regions on chromosome 16 associated with Crohn's Disease, which could lead to personalized treatment and improved understanding of its inheritance. The study used a novel gene mapping approach to analyze genetic information from 1698 patients, replicating results using independent US data.
A clinical trial will be conducted to test the use of whole genome sequencing in medicine, with patients receiving either standard care or no genomic sequencing. The goal is to accelerate personalized genetic medicine and improve patient outcomes.
Whole genome sequencing technology has arrived, uncovering both useful and unwelcome medical results, including information on high-risk diseases like dementia. Regulation is crucial to ensure safe use, with a nuanced approach that balances paternalism with protection from potential harm.
Rutgers University has received a $10 million grant to explore the genetic and environmental factors leading to alcoholism. The four-year study will collect saliva samples from over 46,000 individuals across the US and conduct DNA extraction and genotyping to identify risk factors.
A study published in CMAJ found that cancer survivors have a 2.2-fold increased risk of developing a second primary cancer of the same type as their first, while a second cancer of a different type has only a 1.1-fold increased risk. The risk varies depending on the type of cancer.
Research found a significant link between women with lobular breast cancer and fathers with prostate cancer, with the risk of lobular cancer almost doubling when considering family history. The connection was independent of hormone receptor status.
Researchers have discovered a new way to build muscle by suppressing a natural inhibitor, resulting in mice and worms with super-strong muscles. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for age-related or genetics-related muscle degeneration, as well as applications for athletes and individuals with genetic muscular dystrophy.
A NYU Steinhardt professor has received a $720,000 grant to investigate the link between insulin and obesity-related cancers. Her research aims to understand how insulin affects cancer cell growth and development, particularly in relation to carbohydrate diets.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that cancer cells use autophagy, a natural recycling process, to obtain energy. By blocking this process, the study found that tumor growth and metastasis can be stopped, providing potential new strategy for cancer treatments.
A multidisciplinary team approach to genetic testing in retinoblastoma patients ensures timely evaluation and appropriate counseling, improving risk prediction for patients and family members. Genetic testing also prevents overutilization of clinical screening tests, reducing potential morbidity for relatives.
Researchers confirm cytomegalovirus as a cause of common salivary gland cancers, with implications for human health. The study suggests CMV's role in cancer development and potential new prevention and treatment methods.
A study by Baylor College of Medicine reveals the benefits of genetic evaluation in managing retinoblastoma, a childhood eye cancer. The research showed that genetic analysis helped identify hereditary cases and determined at-risk relatives, reducing unnecessary screening.
A new clinical test called SNaPshot allows doctors to identify patients' individual genotypes and target tumours with the most appropriate therapy. The test has been shown to significantly improve response rates in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
Researchers discover a compound that prevents Type 1 diabetes in mice and has similar effects on human cells from diabetic patients. The finding signals a new direction in fighting the disease and other autoimmune disorders.
Researchers uncovered a wide range of new insights into common diseases and their genetic basis, including cardiovascular and kidney disorders, diabetes, cancer, and more. The study provides details on the genetics behind these conditions and elucidates the role of individual differences in metabolism.
The university will support the development of an understanding of Barrett's esophagus and its conversion to esophageal carcinoma through genetic and environmental research. Researchers aim to reduce mortality associated with this deadly cancer, which has seen a six-fold increase in recent years.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher is leading a collaborative network to study the genetic determinants of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The network aims to develop new methods for identifying individuals at risk, early detection, and monitoring Barrett's esophagus progression.
A new study found that patients' worry about disease was modestly elevated one week after genetic testing, but returned to normal levels a year later. Genetic tests also caused people to worry more about unfamiliar diseases like Graves' disease over common ones like diabetes.
Scientists have discovered a new component of the biological clock, a gene responsible for starting the clock from its restful state every morning. This discovery may help explain the genetic underpinnings of sleeplessness, aging and chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
A University of Melbourne study found that women with a strong family history of breast cancer but no genetic link are not consistently utilizing breast cancer services. They often struggle to interpret their risk and manage it effectively, leading to inadequate access to screenings and interventions.
A study by USC researchers suggests that high dietary intake of calcium causes prostate cancer among African-American men genetically good at absorbing the mineral. Men with poor calcium absorption were less likely to develop advanced prostate cancer.
Scientists have developed 'transcription factor beacons' to quickly detect the activity of proteins controlling gene expression in cancer. The breakthrough technology may enable faster cancer diagnosis and the discovery of new cancer drugs.
Researchers found a genetic defect in the GATA2 gene that predisposes people to acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia. The mutation affects the production of healthy white blood cells, increasing the risk of severe infections.
A study published in Nutrition and Cancer found that a diet rich in walnuts can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer in mice. The researchers discovered that the walnut-containing diet changed the activity of multiple genes relevant to breast cancer, leading to fewer tumors and smaller tumor sizes.
The UT Southwestern program identifies families with a high risk of colorectal cancer through tumor testing. Up to 50 family members can be tested for the Lynch syndrome, which carries an 80% risk of developing colon cancer.
A specific genetic alteration has been identified in epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), a rare but devastating vascular cancer. A new diagnostic test for EHE has also been developed using this finding.
A new saliva test can measure the levels of five key DNA adducts, which form when potentially cancer-causing substances bind to DNA. The test is convenient and non-invasive, making it a potential tool for health promotion and disease prevention.
A study published in Nature Genetics found that individuals with mutations in the BAP1 gene are susceptible to developing mesothelioma and melanoma. The research suggests that the BAP1 gene mutation may be involved in multiple cancer types, including breast and ovarian cancer.
A low-cost, hand-held device called Gene-Z is being developed to detect cancer in resource-poor countries. The device monitors microRNAs and other genetic markers to diagnose cancer, providing an affordable solution to the lack of cancer screening resources in these countries.
A CAMH study found that a specific gene combination significantly increases lung cancer risk, particularly among light smokers with two high-risk variants of the nicotine metabolic and nicotinic genes. The genetic risk was higher in lighter smokers, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to reduce lung cancer risk.
A new study by the National Cancer Institute finds that cigarette smoking is responsible for about half of female bladder cancer cases, similar to the proportion found in men. The risk is higher than previously reported and may be due to changes in cigarette composition or smoking habits over the years.
A new process has been developed to identify patients at risk of Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation that increases cancer risk. The process uses two inexpensive tests to eliminate possible carriers before full genome sequencing, significantly reducing costs and improving accuracy.
A new study developed a cost-effective way to identify patients at risk for Lynch syndrome, which could lead to earlier screenings and improved outcomes for colon and other cancers. The process uses two relatively inexpensive tests to eliminate possible carriers before full genome sequencing is required.
Tiny alterations in genes can act as magnets for biochemical tags, switching off anti-cancer genes and increasing cancer susceptibility. The study found subtle changes near the start of genes attract methylation, causing cancer development in families without spelling mistakes.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center has successfully genetically sequenced the most prevalent type of bladder cancer, urothelial carcinoma. The team discovered mutations in genes responsible for chromatin remodeling, which are similar to those found in other cancers.
The La Jolla Institute's new RNAi Center will focus on understanding the genetics behind disease processes and developing new therapies to treat disease. The Center aims to make key discoveries about how the immune system recognizes bacteria and viruses and fights infections.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully treated advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with genetically engineered 'serial killer' T cells. The treatment involves removing and reprogramming patient cells to target specific proteins, resulting in sustained remissions and reduced side effects.
A study published in Nature Genetics identified 49 new significantly mutated genes associated with TCC, including eight genes related to chromatin remodeling. These genetic aberrations were found in 59% of individuals with TCC, suggesting a potential role for UTX gene in bladder cancer classification and diagnosis.
A Michigan State University researcher has developed a web-based genetics curricula with the goal of making the subject more engaging and accessible to students starting in fifth grade. The system, supported by a $2.3 million NSF grant, aims to improve students' understanding of genetic-related concepts.
Researchers have identified genetic mutations in patients with Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, linking a heritable cause to the disease. Three genes, MSR1, ASCC1, and CTHRC1, were found to be mutated in 11% of BE/EAC patients, suggesting a significant genetic predisposition.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found at least 70 genetic mutations involved in the formation of colon cancer, surpassing previous estimates. This new understanding could lead to more effective treatments targeting multiple genes and pathways simultaneously.
Recent studies have shown that bone marrow transplant survival has significantly increased for young, high-risk leukemia patients, particularly those without matched donors. The results are attributed to advances in treatment and donor selection.
Researchers used zebrafish to investigate the deadly form of liver cancer and uncovered a genetic signature that could aid in diagnosis. They also identified specific markers for early- and late-stage cancer, which may inform treatment regimes.
Researchers have discovered that both types of polycythemia, previously thought to require different treatments, can be effectively treated with JAK2 inhibitors. This finding offers new hope for patients with Chuvash polycythemia, a disease affecting only a small number of people worldwide.