The Consensus Coding Sequences of Breast and Colorectal Cancers

Human cancer is a disease caused by an accumulation of mutations in genes involved in cell cycle regulation. To date only a small fraction of the genes underlying tumorigenesis have been identified, and the number and type of genes responsible are unknown. With the sequencing of the human genome researchers have the capacity to detect genetic alterations in cancers in unprecedented detail. JHU scientists have undertaken a systematic analysis of well-annotated human protein-coding genes in both breast and colorectal cancers. In all, 13,023 genes in 11 breast and 11 colorectal cancers were sequenced to reveal that individual tumors accumulate ~90 mutant genes on average but only a mean of 11 per tumor contribute to the neoplastic process. The vast majority of these genes were not known to be genetically altered in tumors and are predicted to affect a wide range of cellular functions, including transcription, adhesion, and invasion. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) The extensive dataset generated from the sequencing of the breast and colorectal cancer genomes provide new targets for the development of diagnostic assays. Some of these genes, in particular, those coding for cell surface proteins or enzymatic activity, may prove to be good targets for therapeutic development.

Inventor(s): Vogelstein, Bert

Type of Offer: Licensing



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