The Cancer Genome Atlas Completes Highly Detailed Ovarian Cancer Analysis
The most thorough and detailed overview of cancer genes for any form of cancer at present has been made available by the analysis of variations in ovarian cancer. The TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) research community has examined ovarian serous adenocarcinoma tumours from more than half a thousand patients, their findings were published in the publication 'Issue of Nature' in its June 2011 edition.
Thought to be directly responsible for more than eighty five percent of all deaths resulting from ovarian cancer, serous adecarcinoma is among the world's most prevalent forms of cancer. Scientific researchers from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) finished whole-exome sequencing, this observes the regions of the genome where protein coding occurs, on an unexpected three hundred and sixteen tumours. The researchers also finished other forms of genetic grouping on these and an additional one hundred and seventy three other forms of tumours.
The TCGA is financed through collaboration between the NCI (National Cancer Institute) and the NHGRI (National Human Genome Research Institute, both of these institutions are members of the National Health Institutes.
The director of the National Institute of Health, Doctor Francis Collins, PHD, said that this research has led to the production of unprecedented insights into the biological workings of this cancer type. He went on to say that the study will enable the scientists conducting research on cancer to make further breakthroughs that will aid doctors in the treatment of women with ovarian cancer. In conclusion the NIH director said that the study has demonstrated the significance of the discoveries that have been brought forth as a result of the NIH's financial investment.
One of the things that have been discovered in the course of this research is that mutation is a single gene, TP53, is found in greater than ninety five percent of all like cancers. The gene TP53 s thought to be responsible for encoding for a tumour suppressing protein that normally aids in the prevention of the formation of cancerous cells. When the gene TP53 suffers a mutation, the function of proteins is interrupted; this is a contributing factor in the unregulated growth of ovarian cells (thus cancer).
The TCGA research scientists were also able to discover the manner in which various gene sets are expressed in ways that enable the prediction of patient survival rates. The director of the NCI, Doctor Harold E. Varmus said that this new information regarding the genetic changes that occur during cases of ovarian cancer are indicative of the fact that the molecular indicators of ovarian cancer are not restricted to minor variations affecting specific genes.