The cracked the cancer gene code!, Wow. Options

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Experts crack cancer 'gene codes'

US scientists have cracked the entire genetic code of breast and colon cancers, offering new treatment hopes.

The genetic map shows that nearly 200 mutated genes, most previously unknown, help tumours emerge, grow and spread.

The discovery could also lead to better ways to diagnose cancer in its early, most treatable stages, and personalised treatments, Science reports.

The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say the findings suggest cancer is more complex than experts had believed.

Distinct differences

The mutated genes in breast and colon cancers were almost completely distinct, suggesting very different pathways for the development of each of these cancer types.

Each individual tumour appeared to have a different genetic blueprint, which could explain why cancers can behave very differently from person to person, the scientists said.

"No two patients are identical," co-author Dr Victor Velculescu explained.

Now researchers will study how these mutations occur in breast and colon cancers.

Previous cancer gene discoveries have already led to successful detection and treatment strategies.

For example, the breast cancer drug Herceptin targets a breast cancer cell receptor made by the Her2-neu gene. Blood tests for hereditary bowel cancer are based on the APC gene.

Personalised therapies

Dr Anna Barker of the National Cancer Institute said: "Maximising the numbers of targets available for drug development in a specific cancer means that patients will ultimately receive more personalized, less toxic therapies."

Ed Yong of Cancer Research UK, said: "This is potentially a very important piece of research.

"Most of the cancer genes identified in this study have not been previously linked to cancer.

"These newly identified genes could provide rich hunting grounds for scientists looking for new ways of treating or detecting cancers.

"In the future, scientists hope to be able to tailor plans for preventing or treating cancer to each person's individual genetic profile. Studies like this can help us to accomplish this goal."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5325206.stm

I was really impressed when I read this. Just imagine what they can do in a few years!
And chemotherapy won't be as dangerous now.
Lately, I've been seeing a lot of articles at BBC about medical breakthroughs. At the rate technology is going.. we could be able to wipe out cancer in a few decades!

[pandamonium]

yea woopie. i wish i could help though. i just wonder what happens after we cure cancer? whats going to happen next, will there be a newtype of diseases that are in curable? like i duno i worry too much but thats what i think about.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

I hope that someday I will live to see a cure for cancer. It takes 15 years for the stuff from chemo to get out of your body. My mother's had cancer 6 times. And that's 6 times too many. She's been through chemo and radiation, but I guess you have to think if it's something that's strong enough to kill cancer it will probably effect the rest of you too. It's kind of sad to see someone who's effected by it, not only physically but also emotionally. My mom has a lot of problems from radiation and chemo. She has scars from burns and rashes she got during radiation. I really hope someday they will find a way to get rid of the cancer without hurting the patient.

[demolished]

Oh, hell yeah. Thanks to the breast cancer foundation.

[*a painefull euphoria*]

thats great.maybe they can do the same for aids

[demolished]

Well, the closest sucess to aids was recently. they made a new better treatment.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

The technology of medicine is getting more and more advanced. A lot more lives will be saved as this personalized cancer treatment is developed..
But then.. I think that'd be dangerous. What if the cancer suddenly changes and adapts because of all this and becomes a wide spread pandemic that is hard to cure?
That's probably the real danger of technology.

I hope that someday I will live to see a cure for cancer. It takes 15 years for the stuff from chemo to get out of your body. My mother's had cancer 6 times. And that's 6 times too many. She's been through chemo and radiation, but I guess you have to think if it's something that's strong enough to kill cancer it will probably effect the rest of you too. It's kind of sad to see someone who's effected by it, not only physically but also emotionally. My mom has a lot of problems from radiation and chemo. She has scars from burns and rashes she got during radiation. I really hope someday they will find a way to get rid of the cancer without hurting the patient.

I wish your family luck. You guys have been through so much.
I hope she gets better!

[lKVNiiKINKYl]

I think what rawr SOCK said is definatly going to be the problem. I actually don't think cancer will evolve that much, but rather a new incurable disease will pop up.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

I wish your family luck. You guys have been through so much.
I hope she gets better!

Thank you. She actually has a disease called Leiomyoscarcoma, so she has lots of tumors and is kind of prone to cancer. She's a tough woman, haha, she can't take pain medicine because she's allergic to it. She often jokes that she's too stubborn to die so it'll take a lot to get rid of her. But, I think it's true.