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Cancer DNA 'Fingerprints' Reveal New Treatment Paths
30 Mar
Summary
- Study mapped 370 million mutations across 16 cancer types.
- HRD weakness identified in 16% of breast, 14% of ovarian cancers.
- E. coli toxins linked to rise in bowel cancer among younger people.
Scientists have mapped the complete spectrum of mutations driving tumor growth, a breakthrough expected to advance precision medicine for thousands. Researchers meticulously analyzed the genetic makeup of tumors from 10,983 patients across 16 cancer types over six years. They cataloged 370 million mutations, identifying 134 distinct mutational "signatures" that act as fingerprints for the processes causing cancer.
This extensive analysis revealed a significant number of tumors with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), a DNA repair weakness making cancers vulnerable to specific targeted drugs. In the UK, this weakness was identified in 16% of breast cancers and 14% of ovarian cancers, potentially benefiting over 7,700 breast and 1,000 ovarian cancer patients beyond current genetic testing identifications.
The study also provides support for the theory linking E. coli gut bacteria toxins to the recent increase in bowel cancer cases among younger adults. This specific bacterial signature was found more frequently in younger patients. Cancer Research UK data shows a 52% rise in incidence rates for adults aged 25 to 49 since the early 1990s.
