Researchers identify genetic mutation for rare cancer

Researchers identify genetic mutation for rare cancer

Summary
In Michigan, researchers studied the DNA of a patient with rare solitary fibrous tumor (cancer). They have been unable to find the mutation that led to this cancer until just recently. Using a new program called MIONCOSEQ that makes finding new mutations possible, they sequenced the genome. Researchers discovered that two genes, NAB2 and STAT6 had fused together. This advanced technology is unlike all previous sequencers, because it recognizes new mutations and identifies them without them being familiar, and seen before. Researchers then sequenced 51 other cancerous solitary fibrous tumors and found this same mutation in every single one. With this new information, researchers can now work on treatments and drugs that correlate directly to this mutation, because as of now there is very little available for patients.

Connection
This article relates to our studies because it emphasizes the importance of genetic sequencing. Sequencing genes and genomes is something we did on a lower scale and this technology is being used in the real world too. It's still improving and will potentially save lives, by locating the mutations among other patients with unknown cancers and more. The discovery of the mutation is also something we learned about, specifically fusing together.

Link: http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201301/researchers-identify-genetic-mutation-rare-cancer
Author: Yi-Mi Wu
Published: 13 January 2013

Keelin McCarthy