NEW FINDINGS — CANCER
Glioblastoma 2022 estimated U.S. annual incidence: 88,970 new cases of brain and other nervous system conditions A series of genetic changes has been identified that classifies glioblastoma into subtypes. Some subgroups preferentially respond to certain medications, meaning these genetic markers can be used to predict therapeutic response. For example, patients whose tumor cells have deletions in both the small
oncology
Genomics- driven
Nearly all cancers are caused by genetic changes that alter important biological pathways controlling cell growth and survival. Specific genetic changes influence the rate of cell growth, determine how aggressively the cancer will spread and control whether one drug will be more effective than another at killing the cancer cells. Over the past decade, advances in genomic technologies, tumor analysis and drug development have changed the landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the laboratory, genomic information obtained from cancer cells has reshaped our understanding of how cancer forms. In the clinic, this same information is beginning to guide therapeutic decisions, improving outcomes for patients with cancer.
arm of chromosome 1 and the large arm of chromosome 19 respond more favorably when a combination of chemotherapy drugs is added to the standard radiation therapy.
Lung adenocarcinoma 2022 estimated U.S. new cases of lung & bronchus: 236,740. Estimated deaths: 68,820 in men and 61,360 in women
Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common form of lung cancer. At least 60 percent of patients have identifiable genetic mutations that impact the rate of cell division. Approved or experimental anti-cancer drugs target more than half of these mutations. For example, tumors with activating mutations in the EGFR gene can be successfully treated with the drugs getfitinib and erlotinib, which bind to and silence the mutated EGFR protein. However, this therapy is completely ineffective if mutations are also present in a separate gene known as KRAS — a striking example of the complex genetic nature of cancer.
Melanoma 2022 estimated U.S. annual incidence: 99,780 new cases Nearly 50 percent of melanomas have mutations in a gene called BRAF and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs that target BRAF , as part of a treatment plan. Melanoma has also been linked to mutations in the TERT gene, which encodes a component of telomerase. This protein regulates the length of telomeres – those repeating DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes. The cancer-associated mutations are believed to increase the level of telomerase, which allows cells to divide for a longer period of time. Found in over 70% of analyzed melanomas, this may be one of the most common drivers of cancer growth.
Uterine 2022 estimated U.S. annual incidence: 65,950 new cases Genetic analysis has identified four main subgroups of uterine cancer. Intriguingly, one type shares several genetic characteristics with both high- grade ovarian and basal-like breast cancers. This suggests there may be common drug-based therapies that are effective for all three cancers.
Cancer results from the stepwise accumulation of genetic mutations which increase cell growth and/or create a favorable environment for tumor expansion.
third mutation
first mutation second mutation
Source: ©2022, American Cancer Society, Inc., Surveillance Research-estimated new cases are based on 2022 incidence data reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR).
normal cell
increasing numbers of genetic change
Cancer
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