LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Chromosome Instability Patterns Predict Tumor Drug Response

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Jun 2022
Print article
Image: Computer-generated three dimensional drawing of a chromosome mutation (Photo courtesy of 123rf.com)
Image: Computer-generated three dimensional drawing of a chromosome mutation (Photo courtesy of 123rf.com)

By analyzing the differences in the number of repetitions of sequences of DNA within cancerous tumors, genomic researchers characterized 17 different types of chromosomal instability, which could be used to predict tumor drug response and to aid in the identifying future drug targets.

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a type of genomic instability in which chromosomes are unstable, such that either whole chromosomes or parts of chromosomes are duplicated or deleted. Chromosomal instability is a common feature of cancer, occurring in around 80% of tumors, researchers are only now beginning to understand exactly what types or patterns of instability are present in any given tumor.

To increase this understanding, investigators at the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) and colleagues at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (Madrid, Spain) evaluated the extent, diversity, and origin of CIN across 7,880 tumors representing 33 cancer types.

Results of this evaluation revealed 17 different types of chromosomal instability. These chromosomal instability signatures could be used to predict how tumors might respond to drugs, as well as aiding in the identification of future drug targets.

Senior author Dr. Florian Markowetz, senior group leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute of the University of Cambridge, said, "The more complex the genetic changes that underlie a cancer, the more difficult they are to interpret and the more challenging it is to treat the tumor. This is tragically clear from the very low survival rates for cancers that arise as a result of chromosomal instability. Our discovery offers hope that we can turn things around, providing much more sophisticated and accurate treatments. We are now working hard to bring our technology to patients and develop it to a level where it can transform patients' lives."

The CIN study was published in the June 15, 2022, online edition of the journal Nature.

Related Links:
University of Cambridge 
Spanish National Cancer Research Center 

 

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more