Genomic Enterprise

This section will display important news related to cancer research and new drugs in development:

 
Foundation Medicine and the new trend in cancer genomics companies!

Foundation Medicine is a recently founded company with a group of experts with the objective of enabling personalized cancer medicine. Foundation Medicine, launched by leaders in cancer genomics, cancer biology, clinical oncology and information sciences, is dedicated to helping bring these advances into routine clinical practice.

IMPORTANT NEWS:

 
Understanding genomic maps of cancer cells using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)

Recent reports have been describing DNA sequencing of complete cancer genomes from different tumor types (1,2,3). These large and detailed DNA maps contain the sum of all mutations and other molecular defects (i.e. large deletions and insertions) accumulated in cancer cells. This may help in the identification of mutations that could drive tumor formation and progression. The explosive increase in cancer genome sequencing with the advent of new DNA sequencing technologies represent the foundation for a field that can provide new targets for drug development for specific cancer types. However, until a large number of cancer genomes is sequenced and more functional studies for the mutations that are identified are performed, researchers will need time and more studies to understand all this information. Thus, benefits to cancer therapy and patient care will take time to be translated from bench to bedside.

 
References: 

 
1. Dalgliesh GL et al., Systematic sequencing of renal carcinoma reveals inactivation of histone modifying genes. Nature. 463 (7279): 360-363, 2010.

2. Pleasance ED et al., A comprehensive catalogue of somatic mutations from human cancer genome. Nature. 463 (7278): 191-196, 2010.

3. Pleasance ED et al.,  A small-cell lung cancer genome with complex signatures of tobacco exposure. Nature. 463 (7278): 184-190, 2010.

PLX4032 -  a new drug against melanoma gives hope to cancer patients

A drug in clinical trials has shown  encouraging results in melanoma patients with advanced disease. This drug was designed against specific mutations in a gene called B-RAF. Patients that have the mutation in their tumor cells might have benefits from this treatment. However, the tumors have to be genetically tested for the mutations in B-RAF. This new drug will give hope to late stage melanoma patients and will be soon tested in other tumor types.

For more information on this new drug see the Science Magazine article "Melanoma Drug Vindicates Targeted Approach"

New genetic test may aid to breast cancer treatment

Scientists have developed a genetic test that is able to predict how well chemotherapy will work in breast cancer patients. This test will help improve the selection of patients with this type of cancer that will have benefits from strong doses of chemotherapy. The biggest challenge in cancer treatment is subgroup patients that will or will not benefit from specific types of drugs. This new test is an important step towards personalized treatment against cancer.