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New breast cancer susceptibility genes

A large-scale international collaborative study has identified new genes associated with breast cancer, which could lead to better risk prediction and improved clinical management. The study found evidence for at least four new breast cancer risk genes, with many others showing suggestive evidence.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 17, 2023

International workgroup of cancer genetics experts convened by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics develops guidance on clinical management of CHEK2 pathogenic variants and cancer risks

A new clinical practice resource provides valuable information for healthcare professionals caring for individuals with pathogenic variants in the CHEK2 gene. The resource assesses personalized risk estimates based on family history, specific variant, and other factors.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·JournalGenetics in Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 25, 2023

A program that looks for the most effective drugs for each patient’s cancer helps to personalise cancer treatments

The PanDrugs2 programme analyzes alterations in tumour genes, relates them to existing available drugs, and reports on the most suitable ones. It handles data on over 4,600 genes and 14,600 chemical compounds, generating information on around 74,000 associations between drugs and genes.

Genome-wide CRISPR screens identify PARP inhibitor sensitivity and resistance in prostate cancer

A recent study identified novel genes that influence PARP inhibitor response in prostate cancer, including MMS22L and RNASEH2B. The research found that loss of CHEK2, a previously approved biomarker, confers resistance to PARP inhibition, highlighting the need for comprehensive genomic analysis to improve treatment decisions.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

Performance of OncoK9® in real-world veterinary practice mirrors clinical validation study

A new study from PetDx shows OncoK9 performs similarly to its landmark clinical validation study in real-world settings, detecting 26 types of cancer in high-risk dogs. The test also provides peace of mind for veterinarians and families by detecting cancer in over 94% of negative cases.

SourceStephens & Associates·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 22, 2023

New research in JNCCN highlights the negative impact of continued exclusion of racial groups from research on cancer genomics

A recent study published in JNCCN found that the lack of genomic research for people with African ancestry is hindering efforts to reduce disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. The researchers evaluated molecular genetic results for 113 Black South African men diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, identifying 17 pathogenic and pot...

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateMar 10, 2023

Oncotarget | Oncogenic driver FGFR3-TACC3 requires 5 coiled-coil heptads for activation and disulfide bonds for stability

Researchers identify the minimum contribution of TACC3 for FGFR3-TACC3 fusion protein activation, revealing a novel target for treating FGFR translocation-driven cancers. The study shows that clinically identified FGFR3-TACC3 fusion proteins differ in biological activity depending on specific breakpoints.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Breast cancer disparity equally impacted by social determinants of health, tumor biology

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that Black women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer are more likely to experience higher mortality rates due to both social determinants of health and tumor biology. The research analyzed data from 60,137 women between 2004-2015 and discovered that these factors co...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 16, 2023

Strata Oncology announces publication of study validating clinical utility of pan-tumor predictive biomarker for checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy benefit

The study validated the clinical utility of Strata Oncology's proprietary pan-solid tumor predictive biomarker, Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), which predicts response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. IRS captures tumor biology and microenvironment by combining tumor mutation burden with quantitative expression of PD-L1, PD-1, ADAM...

SourceStrata Oncology·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2023

The nutrient that cancer cells crave

Researchers found that arginine levels are limited in human cancers, prompting cancer cells to manipulate proteins to take up the amino acid. Starving cancer cells of arginine may lead to mutations that make them more recognizable to the immune system.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 3, 2023

Genomic screening can help detect thyroid cancer, Geisinger study finds

A Geisinger study found that genomic screening can help detect medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in patients with RET gene variants. The research evaluated 75 patients who had the genetic results, and 12 were found to have cancer after undergoing surgery. Genomic screening provides opportunities for early detection and treatment of MTC.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJan 25, 2023

Molecular Tumor Board provides useful assist in cancer precision medicine

A multidisciplinary team reviews genomic test results and recommends treatment options for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, identifying clinical trials suitable for most patients. The program has been successful in providing expert treatment guidance for over 500 patients and can be a model for other cancer centers.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJCO Precision Oncology·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 12, 2023

Study identifies molecular differences between primary breast cancer and its metastases

The study found that methylation of the HLA-A gene and focal deletions resulted in reduced immune cell activity against cancer cells, leading to fewer immune cells being available to attack cancer cells. The researchers also discovered differences in immune cell response between various sites of metastasis.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Unlocking cancer’s ancestry

A new software developed by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory can accurately infers continental ancestry from tumor DNA and RNA. This technology has the potential to lead to more targeted and personalized cancer treatments by identifying genetic connections between cancer and race or ethnicity.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Research·DateDec 27, 2022

AMP assesses clinical implementation of past standards and guidelines for interpretation and reporting of sequence variants in cancer

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) published a report assessing the clinical adoption, classification inconsistencies, and implementation barriers of the 2017 guidelines for sequence variant interpretation and reporting in cancer. The study found that 86% of participants correctly differentiated clinically significant varian...

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateDec 13, 2022

Artificial Intelligence in Health: USC Researchers receive $10.5 million to develop cutting edge machine learning approaches in cancer research

The National Cancer Institute awards $10.5 million to USC's Division of Biostatistics to develop statistical methods for uncovering new risk factors associated with cancer by integrating large volumes of health, genomic, and exposure data. The project aims to provide new insights into complex biological processes and discoveries of nov...

Oncotarget | Treasures from trash in cancer research

A new study explores the value of 'trash data' from cancer genome sequencing, identifying new strategies to uncover previously unexplored information. The researchers found that genomic and transcriptomic data contain relevant information that can help elucidate carcinogenesis and discover putative biomarkers with clinical applications.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 23, 2022

On the trail of missing genes and cancer clues

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a direct link between TET protein loss of function and missing genes in embryonic stem cells, which can lead to cancer growth. The study found that TET proteins are crucial for maintaining genome stability, and their loss results in aneuploidies, a common feature of cancer cells.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2022

Researchers identify specific alterations in the BRAF gene that may affect response to treatment and survival in adult brain cancers

The study found that BRAF alterations, particularly Class I mutations like v600E, are associated with improved overall survival in adults with glioma. However, the effectiveness of targeted therapies depends on the specific type and combination of genetic alterations driving the cancer.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2022

Mathematics enable scientists to understand organization within a cell’s nucleus

Researchers developed a new mathematical technique to analyze cell nucleus organization, revealing self-sustaining transcription clusters that play a key role in maintaining cell identity. This understanding may expose vulnerabilities for targeting cancer cells and reprogramming them to stop uncontrollable cell division.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022