Endometrial cancer gene identified
April 18th, 2011 - 1:25 pm ICT by ANILondon, April 18 (ANI): Researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and the University of Cambridge have identified an area of the genome that increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Endometrial (uterine) cancer is the most common gynaecological cancers in the women of developed countries. Amanda Spurdle from QIMR’s Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory said this is a significant discovery.
“This is the first endometrial cancer gene identified using the genome-wide association study approach, and involved comparing more than 1,200 endometrial cancer patients to more than 5,000 unaffected people for more than 500,000 genetic markers across the genome,” said Spurdle.
“The area we have identified is located close to the HNF1B gene, which has previously been associated with prostate cancer risk. It was surprising to learn that this area of the genome might also influence endometrial cancer risk, since these two cancers were not previously recognised to have similar underlying genetic causes.”
“Our results show that research studies that screen genetic markers across the entire genome are important to identify previously unknown cancer genes and pathways for future clinical studies,” she added.
The paper has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics. (ANI)
- Genetic variation that cuts bladder cancer risk identified - Apr 03, 2011
- Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors unveiled - Feb 10, 2011
- 18 genetic markers for autism spectrum disorders identified - Apr 28, 2011
- Lookout for your coffee gene! - Sep 18, 2011
- Coffee may protect against cancer of the uterus - Nov 23, 2011
- Lynch syndrome's mutated genes raise risk of cancers - Feb 15, 2012
- Possible risk gene for schizophrenia identified - Sep 15, 2010
- Genetic deletion identified as major risk factor for autism, schizophrenia - Nov 05, 2010
- Exercise improves survival in prostate cancer patients - Feb 02, 2012
- Gene fusion is the 'smoking gun' in the development of prostate cancer: Study - May 19, 2010
- Scientists isolate gene common to unrelated cancers - Jan 02, 2012
- Genes linked to throat cancer identified - May 31, 2010
- Study reveals links to abnormal rhythms behind sudden death, heart damage - Dec 21, 2010
- Vitamin D protects obese women against endometrial cancer - Sep 22, 2010
- Scientists find 13 new genes linked to heart diseases - Mar 07, 2011
Tags: cancer endometrial, cancer epidemiology, cancer gene, cancer genes, cancer patients, developed countries, endometrial cancer, genetic causes, genetic markers, genome, gynaecological cancers, journal nature genetics, molecular cancer, prestigious journal nature, prostate cancer, prostate cancer risk, qimr, queensland institute of medical research, study approach, university of cambridge