Which genes cause which cancers?

Scientists have hoped for that information since genetic decoding became possible.

They knew that that the whole field of cancer care could be improved from prevention through treatment if they just got the keys.

The genetic code to skin and lung cancers, the most common, has been unlocked and was announced this week.

Revolutionary is not too grand of a word for this.

Cancer researchers are on the way to knowing which genes go bad, leading to cancer. As mentioned, the first completed work is for skin and lung cancers but all over the world, researchers are tackling other organs which commonly develop cancers.

Please note the time frame. Researchers estimate it will take at least five years just to complete the genetic work.

The next step will be to develop treatments based on that information. No one can estimate how long that will take, either.

Still, this is one to celebrate.

BBC

“Scientists have unlocked the entire genetic code of two of the most common cancers – skin and lung – a move they say could revolutionise cancer care. (Emphasis added)

“Not only will the cancer maps pave the way for blood tests to spot tumours far earlier, they will also yield new drug targets, says the Wellcome Trust team. (Emphasis added)

“Scientists around the globe are now working to catalogue all the genes that go wrong in many types of human cancer,” this story says.

..”The International Cancer Genome Consortium scientists from the 10 countries involved say it will take them at least five years and many hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete this mammoth task.” (Emphasis added)

…”Professor Michael Stratton, who is the UK lead, said: “These catalogues are going to change the way we think about individual cancers.” (Emphasis added)

Source: BBC, December 17, 2009