Scientists discover over 800 genes that could potentially cause cancer

• Scientists have identified over 800 new genes that could potentially cause cancer, significantly expanding the existing list.

• Using a new algorithm called Spotter, they examined anomalies in the DNA transmission process, specifically in the splicing of genes.

• This discovery could lead to personalized cancer treatments based on individual genetic profiles, offering promising potential for future cancer therapies.

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Researchers used advanced algorithms to detect genetic underpinnings of cancer

What’s the story

A groundbreaking study by scientists from the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) in Spain, has identified over 800 genes that could potentially cause cancer.

This discovery significantly expands our understanding of how genetic mutations can lead to cancer, a disease typically triggered by changes in our genetic code that disrupt cell growth regulation.

The research team used advanced algorithms to detect anomalies in the genetic code related to exons—segments of a gene that directly translate into proteins.

New approach to understanding cancer-causing genes

The BIST team’s research differs from previous studies that primarily focused on abnormalities within the DNA itself.

Instead, this study examined anomalies that occur as instructions from DNA are transmitted to the rest of the body.

The non-coding sections of a gene, known as introns, are usually removed when a gene’s DNA is transcribed into an RNA version in a process called splicing.

Cancer cells can disrupt this splicing process to produce mutated proteins from an otherwise normal protein gene.

Identification of potential cancer-promoting genes

The BIST team used sophisticated algorithms to identify 813 genes that could potentially promote cancer growth when spliced.

This discovery significantly expands the existing list of known cancer-causing genes, which previously included only 626 genes known to cause tumors when mutated.

Interestingly, only about a 10th of these newly identified ‘splice’ class genes were already included in the most widely-used cancer mutation database, that records genes driving cancer growth through mutations.

New algorithm identifies potential cancer-driving exons

The research team developed an algorithm called Spotter, which was able to sift through vast amounts of genetic data to identify splicing events that may enhance cancer growth.

In preliminary lab tests on tissue samples, targeting these exons effectively limited cancer growth.

“Not only can Spotter identify potential cancer-driver exons, which we can then trace back to genes, but it can also rank which exons are more important than others in any given cancer sample,” says BIST biologist Miquel Anglada-Girotto.

Exon identification could predict patient drug responses

The study also found that identifying these exons could help predict how different patients might respond to the same drug.

This discovery opens up new possibilities for personalized cancer treatment strategies based on individual genetic profiles.

While more research is needed before we can routinely identify and target exons within genes, this study shows promising potential for future cancer treatments.

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