Articles tagged with Cancer Genetics
Bayreuth geneticists have discovered a natural protective mechanism that leads to the programmed death of potentially diseased cells. The separase enzyme plays a central role in this process and can be re-purposed to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
A new study found that the effective population size of the first Samoans was small, ranging from 700 to 3,400 people, with population growth starting around 1,000 years ago. The research highlights the importance of population history and size in understanding health conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
A twin study conducted by Monash University researchers found that even low levels of air pollution can affect gene expression, leading to long-term health consequences. The study suggests exposure to air pollutants, even at low levels, has real-life implications for the current COVID pandemic.
A genetic variant in the MET gene has been identified as a driver of more aggressive growth in head and neck and lung cancers in Asians. The study suggests that targeting the variant may lead to improved disease outcomes through precision medicine.
Australian scientists have identified a motor protein called CHD4 that helps cells access DNA information when needed. The discovery provides insights into how defects in this process contribute to diseases such as schizophrenia and cancer.
Researchers found that structural changes in protein bundles called chromosomes affect access to genes in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The new work shows that altering the 3D architecture of chromosomes can trigger cancer growth and spread, making targeted therapy a promising approach.
A recent NIH study has found that a significant proportion of children with osteosarcoma carry genetic variants associated with increased cancer risk. The researchers identified harmful or likely harmful variants in over a quarter of patients, highlighting the importance of genetic testing and screening for family members.
A recent study reveals that the loss of protein MCL1 can drive cancer formation in the intestine, even without bacterial-driven inflammation. The research found that mice lacking MCL1 developed tumors and intestinal damage, similar to human cases with chronic intestinal inflammation.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore have identified a common therapeutic vulnerability for a genetically diverse and deadly form of leukemia. The study reveals that the polycomb repressive complex plays a critical role in driving progression to blast crisis, a nearly always fatal stage of the disease.
A recent study of over 4,500 postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer found that about 1 in 40 have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. These mutations increase the risk of other cancers, including ovarian cancer, and may benefit from genetic testing.
A new genetic test can identify patients with multiple myeloma who are at 'ultra high risk' of their cancer progressing aggressively early on. These patients have poorer survival rates and are unlikely to benefit from lenalidomide alone, highlighting the need for alternative treatment approaches.
Research by German Cancer Research Center and Hebrew University finds that intestinal bacteria reprogram DNA activity in gut mucosa cells, controlling healthy gut development and inflammation. Demethylating enzymes TET2 and TET3 play a key role in this process.
A new study by West Virginia University researcher Nancy Lan Guo found that printer toner nanoparticles can change genetic and metabolic profiles, increasing disease risk. The study used rat models and found significant genomic changes linked to cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic disorders.
A study at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that using MLN4924 and dual treatment with anti-PD1 can induce durable, curative responses in patients with MMR-deficient and MSI cancers. The therapy approach shows promise as a novel therapeutic vulnerability for this type of cancer.
A new study found that higher genetic testosterone levels increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 37% in women and reduce it by 14% in men. Similarly, higher testosterone levels increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancers in women and prostate cancer in men.
A new study creates personalized cancer vaccines that amplify the effects of immunotherapy, curing mice with treatment-resistant tumors. Researchers used a molecule called APOBEC3B to drive rapid genetic changes in cancer cells, creating unique signatures vulnerable to immune checkpoint blockade.
Researchers estimate that there may be as many as 10 million people worldwide suffering from a rare disease, which is likely to hinder treatment development due to inconsistent and imprecise definitions. The study calls for a unified definition of rare diseases to improve care for patients and develop effective treatments.
Researchers analyzed over 23,000 human tumors and 1000 cancer cell lines to discover chromosome arm gains and losses can predict drug response better than genetic mutations. This finding has significant implications for personalized cancer treatments.
Research reveals frequent RB1 intragenic rearrangements in non-smoking patients with EGFR mutations, indicating higher resistance to EGFR inhibitors. The alteration may favor growth and tumoural versatility of resistant clones.
Scientists are exploring genetic changes that make brain tumors resistant to BRAF inhibitors, a common treatment for certain types of brain cancer. The study aims to identify new potential targets for combination therapy to keep cancers from developing resistance.
A new algorithm uses machine learning to identify genes that spur tumor growth by linking DNA mutations to altered functionality. The method can predict and validate cancer-driving genes in any database or real population sample.
Researchers have found that MYC and TWIST1, two genes that promote cancer development, work together to recruit immune cells to tumors, creating an environment that facilitates cancer cell spread. Blocking a key step in this process may help prevent metastasis.
A new study suggests that targeted screening for men at higher genetic risk of prostate cancer could prevent nearly one in six deaths from the disease. The research modeled the harms and benefits of introducing four-yearly PSA screening for all men aged 55 to 69 versus more targeted checks for those at higher risk.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a new platform for creating genetically engineered mice to study melanoma, which is significantly faster than the traditional approach. This new method uses chimera mouse models and chimera-derived melanoma cell lines to provide a faster way to study skin cancer.
Splice-altering mutations can contribute to inherited predisposition to cancer by altering RNA splicing patterns. The cBROCA method identifies altered transcripts and associated genes, revealing potential therapeutic targets.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommends evaluating breast cancer patients for genetic testing based on existing clinical criteria. Genetic testing should include full gene sequencing and be conducted in a lab certified by the College of American Pathologists or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found a new mechanism that renders the MYC gene overactive in cancer cells. The MYC gene is normally controlled by environmental cues and cell architecture, leading to uncontrolled growth.
A new study reveals that male breast cancer patients require a lower recurrence score threshold for predicting mortality compared to females, highlighting distinct biology and prognostic factors between the sexes.
A new study shows an association between a family history of cancer and childhood asthma diagnosis in over 20% of children, highlighting the importance of extra asthma screening efforts.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine developed a new method to model gene interactions and predict changes over time. The idopNetwork can create personalized networks for individual patients, showing complex gene connections and predicting outcomes.
A study by Dartmouth researchers found that a specific genetic subgroup of triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer is vulnerable to heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors. This discovery may lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with these cancers.
Researchers have successfully created mice with hyper-long telomeres, which live longer and healthier lives without any genetic modification. This breakthrough shows that lengthening telomeres can increase longevity and delay metabolic ageing, paving the way for potential future treatments.
Increased inflammatory activity found in FTD patients, associated with parkinsonism symptoms and rapid disease progression. The study also revealed a low prevalence of cancer among FTD patients, suggesting an overactive immune system may contribute to the disease.
A new system developed by Yale scientists uses viral gene therapy and CRISPR gene-editing technology to make cancer cells stand out from the crowd, helping the immune system spot and eliminate tumors that other forms of immunotherapies might miss.
The 2019 Nobel Prize has been awarded to William G. Kaelin Jr, Gregg L. Semenza, and Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. This mechanism has far-reaching implications for treating conditions like cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
A novel transfection method called nano-electro-injection delivers DNA into immune cells two to three times more efficiently than conventional methods. This technique improves the process of generating high-quality genetically modified immune cells for cancer immunotherapy, reducing cell stress and improving cell health.
A new treatment approach for metastatic prostate cancer has shown promising results, delaying disease progression by more than double and potentially extending lives. The treatment targets genetic alterations that enable cancer cells to repair themselves, leading to significant extensions in time before the disease grows and spreads.
Scientists at UCL have developed a method to reactivate 'tumour suppressor' genes silenced by cancer cells. This finding could lead to new targeted biotherapies for cancer treatment.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have developed a rapid method to genetically alter laboratory mice, producing personalized models of complex cancers. The technique overcomes drawbacks in current techniques and can be used to modify patient-derived cells.
Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research have discovered the three-dimensional structure and function of the 'mix n match' protein DHX8, which helps control a process linked to cancer progression and drug resistance. This study opens up a potentially exciting new way to tackle drug-resistant cancers.
New USPSTF recommendations for BRCA1/2 genetic testing are beneficial, increasing use of genetic counseling and testing for those with high risk. However, concerns remain about large-panel genetic tests, direct-to-consumer multi-panel tests, and racial and socioeconomic disparities in genetic testing uptake.
Scientists have discovered a rare, inherited gene mutation that significantly increases the risk of pancreatic and other cancers. The RABL3 mutation was found in a family with multiple relatives diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and zebrafish carrying the mutation also showed dramatically higher rates of cancer.
Researchers discovered how the process of cell differentiation is orchestrated during embryogenesis, revealing the DNA sequence code of a key gene called hunchback. By understanding how this 'on/off switch' works, scientists gain new insights into genetic activity and its implications for birth defects and disease.
A new study found that genetic testing motivates people at risk of developing melanoma to change their behavior, including reducing sun exposure. Participants who received genetic counseling showed sustained reductions in UV radiation exposure and lighter skin pigmentation over time.
Scientists have developed a new computational method that reveals genetic patterns in individual cells, enabling the diagnosis of specific genetic defects and potentially rectifying them with CRISPR. This breakthrough advances precision medicine by providing personalized treatment options for patients with unexplained infertility.
A new study has established the strongest evidence yet of a causal relationship between obesity and various serious conditions. The research analyzed data from the UK Biobank to assess associations between body mass index (BMI) and disease outcomes in 337,536 people.
Researchers will investigate loss of DNA repair mechanisms and secondary mutations leading to cancer. The goal is to develop improved cancer treatment regimens and predict drug efficacy.
Research analyzed mortality rates among 10,451 MLB players from 1906 to 2006, finding differences in death rates by position and career length. Longer playing careers were associated with lower cardiovascular-related deaths but increased cancer deaths.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute found that low doses of radiation increase p53 mutations, giving cancer-capable cells a competitive advantage. However, antioxidants can boost healthy cells to outcompete mutant cells.
Research at the University of Sussex identified how genetic variations in two main EBV strains impact their behavior in infecting white blood cells. These differences affect the virus's ability to drive rapid cell growth, a key factor in the development of lymphoma.
Ashkenazi Jewish women with known BRCA status have a 98% 5-year survival rate compared to 74% for those without knowledge, requiring less chemotherapy and extensive surgery. Early testing could prevent breast cancer or start high-risk screening at an earlier age.
Researchers identify DNA-PK as a master regulator of gene networks promoting aggressive prostate cancer behaviors. A clinical trial combining standard-of-care with a first-in-man DNA-PK inhibitor shows promising early results.
A new study found that gastric cancer is affecting more young Hispanic people in the US, with poorer outcomes than older patients. Women under 40 were more likely to have diffuse-type tumours and stage IV disease at diagnosis, leading to a median overall survival of just 7 months.
Researchers found that cancer cells respond differently to targeted drugs based on tumour type and genetic weaknesses. The study suggests rethinking precision medicine and designing clinical trials with both gene faults and tumour type in mind.
Researchers analyzed RNA sequence data from human stem cells as they developed into cardiomyocytes, identifying hundreds of genes associated with varying expression. These 'shooting star' differences may explain complex diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Researchers found that children with chromosomal defects were almost 12 times more likely to develop cancer than those without birth defects. Children with non-chromosomal defects had a 2.5 times increased risk of cancer compared to those without birth defects.
DNA microscopy enables spatially mapping genetic material without optical equipment, allowing researchers to track molecular positions and variations. The technique has potential applications in understanding biological processes, cancer, and immune system development.
Researchers from CRCHUM identified the genetic signature of an ineffective immune response to cancer, including 28 genes that are also found in patients with other diseases. This signature could help predict which patients will fare worse.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified a specific genetic marker linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. The study found that up to 40% of women carrying the genetic variation are at higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without it.
A nationwide register study found no increased risk of congenital malformations in children conceived after their fathers received radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, followed 4,207 children of 2,380 fathers and compared the risks before and after treatment.