Recent Publications

CGEMS:
Identification of a new prostate cancer susceptibility locus on chromosome 8q24
Nature Genetics
September 20, 2009 as an Advance Online Publication

CGEMS researchers announce discovery of new area on chromosome 8 that is associated with risk for prostate cancer. This publication describes a specific variant at 8q24 that is associated with prostate cancer. This study, along with additional papers published in parallel, all found this region to be associated with prostate cancer risk.

MGC:
The Completion of the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC)
Genome Research
September 18, 2009 as an Advance Online Publication

The MGC Project Team announces the completion of the Mammalian Gene Collection. This publication describes the process of creating and validating more than 100,000 full-length open reading frames from human, mouse, rat, cow, frog and zebrafish. Each of these is now available to the research community through the MGC website.

TARGET:
JAK mutations in high-risk childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Vol. 106 / No. 23

TARGET researchers built on their discoveries in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They identified mutations in a class of protein kinase genes called the janus kinases (JAK) in high-risk ALL patients. Mutations in the JAK gene frequently occurred alongside alterations of IKAROS, (see below, NEJM). Importantly, almost 80% of patients with mutations in a JAK gene and deletion or mutations in IKAROS relapsed within four years compared to only 23% of patients with neither mutation.

CGEMS:
Researchers Identify Genetic Variations That May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer
Nature Genetics
Vol. 41 / No. 5 (March 29, 2009 Epub)

CGEMS Researchers have identified new genetic variations in two regions of DNA — located on chromosomes 1 and 14 — that may be associated with the risk of sporadic breast cancer. This study also confirms some of the previously identified associations between specific regions in the genome and breast cancer risk.

TARGET:
Genome Studies Yield Insights into Childhood Leukemia
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 6 / Number 1

This "Special Report" in the NCI Cancer Bulletin features the first results from the TARGET Initiative, highlighting the discovery of the genetic changes associated with children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their risk for relapse. TARGET collaborators analyzed two independent groups of ALL patients with high rates of relapse to reveal that the gene mutation of IKAROS (or IKZF1) increased the risk for recurrence, which may help to explain why chemotherapy fails for some patients. These findings could lead to genetic tests that identify ALL patients at high risk for relapse and those who may benefit from more aggressive treatments.

TARGET:
Deletion of IKZF1 and Prognosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The New England Journal of Medicine

NCI’s TARGET Initiative reported the discovery of a novel genetic marker for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the January 7, 2009, advance online edition of The New England Journal of Medicine. The genetic alteration identified, IKZF1, should improve clinicians’ ability to identify high-risk patients and better assign these patients to appropriate therapy.

TCGA:
Comprehensive genomic characterization defines human glioblastoma genes and core pathways
Nature
Vol 455

The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network reported the first results of its large-scale, comprehensive study of the most common form of brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM) in the advance online edition of the journal Nature, released September 4, 2008. Among the TCGA findings are the identification of many gene mutations involved in GBM, including three previously unrecognized mutations that occur with significant frequency; and the delineation of core pathways disrupted in this type of brain cancer. One of the most exciting results is an unexpected observation that points to a potential mechanism of resistance to a common chemotherapy drug used for brain cancer.
*Advance online edition released September 4, 2008; final article published in the October 23, 2008 issue of Nature.

TCGA:
Genome Surveys Reveal Complexity of Brain Cancers
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 5 / Number 18

This NCI Cancer Bulletin article features one of the most comprehensive studies to date of the molecular changes underlying brain cancer. The TCGA Research Network analyzed 206 glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors using an integrated approach based on multiple types of genetic data and clinical information. Highlighting three genes found in the disease – ERBB2, NF1, and TP53, these findings significantly expand our current knowledge about the genetic networks involved in this deadly disease and potential therapeutic strategies.

TCGA:
TCGA Moving Molecular Oncology Forward
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 5 / Number 11

This guest update by Dr. Daniela S. Gerhard looks at the progress of TCGA pilot project and the value seen by researchers through data being developed and shared across the globe along with its offering of new technologies and tools to propel molecular oncology with precision and efficiency.

CGEMS:
Multiple loci identified in a genome-wide association study of prostate cancer
Nature Genetics
Vol 40, Issue 3

The prostate cancer study looks at the association between multiple loci and the susceptibility to prostate cancer, which could be used as an indicator for high risk individuals (subscription required).

CGEMS:
Common Genetic Variants Linked to Breast Cancer
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 4 / Number 18

Researchers have identified common genetic variations associated with breast cancer in several populations of women. The variants occur in a tumor suppressor gene called FGFR2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2), which was previously reported to be amplified or overexpressed in some breast cancers.

ICG:
Small Molecules, Big Players: the National Cancer Institute's Initiative for Chemical Genetics
AACR Cancer Research
66, 8935-8942

The Initiative for Chemical Genetics (ICG), created by NCI, enables public research using small molecules to accelerate the discovery of cancer-relevant small-molecule probes. This report outlines how the ICG functions, how researchers can take advantage of its screening, chemistry and informatic capabilities, and provides a brief summary of some of the many important research findings (subscription required).