Numerous Cancer Genes Tied to Breast and Colorectal Cancer

Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland, under the lead of Bert Vogelstein, have announced the results of an in depth study of cancer cell DNA. They concluded that not just a few, but about 280 cancer genes are possible contributors to the development of a cancer cell for breast and colon cancer.

With this great number of cancer genes as possible contributors, the formation of a cancer cell becomes rather complex and distinct. These 280 genes can combine through mutation and thereby result in unique tumors for each patient. This is an indication that more personalized cancer treatments could result in greater success rates.

However, the discovery of the great number of cancer genes involved in just the development of breast and colon cancer, and the resulting exponentially large number of possible tumor variations could seem overwhelming. How could a proper individualized diagnosis and treatment be found for each cancer patient, especially in regard of an early diagnosis? Then again, the research indicates these cancer genes affect the body in terms of biochemical pathways. This number appears to be limited to fifteen pathways for the development of breast or colorectal cancer. This greatly reduces the 'battle ground' for cancer diagnostic and treatment.

Through the continued study of these pathways the researchers will gain a better understanding of cancer development. As a result they have already come up with new ways for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The cancer development can be stopped through drugs, which affect these biochemical pathways. It would not matter, which genes are mutating as their progress through the pathway would be blocked.

Furthermore, physicians treating cancer through chemotherapy could specifically scan for those mutated cells to see, if the treatment is working. Similarly, immunotherapy could be directly targeted at the mutated cells. All in all, knowing that each breast or colorectal tumor is unique, should allow for a more targeted and individualized treatment for each patient.

The research will continue to identify other cancer genes and biochemical pathways involved in the development of tumors, not just for breast and colon cancer but also for other cancer types. The researchers hope in the long run the development of any tumor can be stopped in the biochemical pathway. As for now, the majority of the subtle tumor mutations can be detected by current technology, which should be used by doctors to treat their patients' cancer individually.