Scientists report today in the journal Nature that the genetic codes of two of the most commons cancers – skin and lung – have been sequenced in their entirety. It was found that melanoma skin cancer contains more than 30,000 DNA errors, mostly due to sun exposure. Lung cancer contains more than 23,000 gene errors largely as a result of cigarette smoking. The identification of these genetic errors will allow us to develop new drugs which can potentially target each of these site specifically. As well it’s conceivable that blood tests can be developed to detect DNA patterns which are unique to each type of cancer. This landmark accomplishment is the first step in the effort lead by the International Cancer Genome Consortium to catalogue all the major cancer types. Scientists in Japan are working on decoding the sequence for liver cancer, India on mouth, UK on breast, China on stomach, and the US on brain, ovary, and pancreas. [via BBC]
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Tags: Cancer, DNA, gene, Genetics, lung cancer, melanoma, mutations, skin cancer
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Thank you to all who work so hard to find these cures.
Many in my family have died from lung cancer due to their smoking.
One young son died from skin cancer, Please keep up the work you do.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:14 am
It sure would be nice to see the study in question. Too often studies are questionable because they don’t show method, means, sample size, or placebo cmparisons.
If this study is legitimate, it may lend credence to other studies conducted done in 1999. See:
http://www.anthropogeny.com/Explanation%20of%20Infections%20and%20Cancer%20Increases%20and%20Connection.htm
December 17th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
that’s great news…..hope it is for certain…many lives will /could be saved.
aking
December 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Scientists report in medical advancement is refreshing to me and yet most often no benefit to me and most others. Most people and I do not have the means to receive simple medical care. It’s not only the money that hinders us. It’s the treatment facilities and the doctors that treat us. I am happy for those that have state of the art medical care.
December 18th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Hi thank you for this information ,I was wondering if any group will be working on the Genetic code for Multiple Myeloma (bone Cancer) This Cancer is always fatal ,at present they are able to slow it’s progression but the end result is not very incouraging . Thanks again for the information.
December 18th, 2009 at 4:54 am
it is very infomative.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
That is great news and hopefully everyone will benefit from Medical Care like we have in our great country Canada.
Thank you for the update and to all the specialist who work in
that field, Keep up the good work.
January 10th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
This is good news I believe that with time other cancer`s codes will be also cracked
January 19th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
thanks for the reply at list i know that liver cancer was from japan,,,,,, hope my God continue to bless this web,many people who receive this dailydose are learning thanks and my it a blessing to others………………jy