New genetic clue to kidney cancer
January 20th, 2011 - 4:40 pm ICT by ANILondon, Jan 20 (ANI): A group of researchers from three continents have identified a gene that is mutated in 1 in 3 patients with the most common form of renal cancer.
The gene - called PBRM1 - was found to be mutated in 88 cases out of 257 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC) analysed, making it the most prevalent to be identified in renal cancer in 20 years.
The identification of a frequently mutated gene provides new insights into the biology of the disease, which will be critical in the continued effort to improve treatment for renal cancer.
Scientists from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (UK), the National Cancer Centre of Singapore, and Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) of Grand Rapids, Michigan conducted the study.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 9 out of 10 kidney cancers, and ccRCC is the most common subtype, accounting for 8 out of 10 RCC cases.
Survival rates for early-detected ccRCC tumors can be as high as 95 percent, but that prognosis falls over time as tumors develop. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that tumors can grow in the kidney for some time without presenting symptoms.
Importantly, the newly discovered gene, PBRM1, functions as part of a protein complex called SWI-SNF, which also acts to alter the structure of chromatin - further pointing to the importance of genome regulation in renal cancer.
“Our work provides evidence that PBRM1 may affect the processes of cell division in renal cells. Therefore, a defect in this gene could lead to abnormal cellular growth,” said Kyle Furge, Head of VARI’s Laboratory of Computational Biology.
The study has been published today in the journal Nature. (ANI
- Scientists find genetic secrets to common kidney cancer - May 19, 2010
- Faulty gene behind more than a third of kidney cancers - Jan 20, 2011
- Protein summons help DNA repair teams fix cancer-causing defects - Jun 20, 2009
- Scientists find molecular switch that controls skin growth - Mar 04, 2011
- 'Low oxygen levels drive cancer growth' - May 06, 2012
- Gene mutation behind onset of acute myeloid leukaemia identified - Mar 28, 2011
- Mouse genome offers human cancer clue - Mar 24, 2011
- Obesity raises kidney cancer risk - Jan 13, 2010
- How genetic changes make some brain cancers more aggressive - Oct 02, 2010
- Scientists discover potential new drug therapy for kidney diseases - Apr 27, 2011
- First molecule that blocks key component of cancer genes' on-off switch created - Sep 25, 2010
- Gene linked to spread of eye melanoma identified - Nov 05, 2010
- Genetic predisposition for breast, kidney cancers discovered - Dec 23, 2010
- Indian-origin scientist about to unlock the mystery behind the origin of many diseases - Aug 01, 2009
- Scientists crack genetic code for form of pancreatic cancer - Jan 21, 2011
Tags: cancer scientists, cellular growth, computational biology, furge, genetic clue, grand rapids michigan, kidney cancer, kidney cancers, london jan, national cancer centre, new insights, renal cancer, renal cell carcinoma, renal cell carcinomas, renal cells, structure of chromatin, three continents, van andel research institute, wellcome trust sanger, wellcome trust sanger institute