To accelerate breakthroughs, the Damon Runyon Foundation provides today's best young scientists with funds to pursue innovative cancer research.
September 4, 2008
Led in part by Matthew L. Meyerson, MD, PhD (Damon Runyon Fellow '95-'98) of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project reported the first results of their analysis of genetic alterations in glioblastoma brain tumors. In parallel studies, teams led by The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, examined more than 20,000 genes in pancreatic tumors [guided by Kenneth W. Kinzler, PhD (Innovation Award Committee Member)] and glioblastoma tumors. This work revealed the complexity of cancer: no tumors were identical, and each tumor contained 60 genetic alterations on average. Genes work together in pathways, so identifying the pathways affected by genetic alterations is critical. The groups reported three core pathways abnormal in most glioblastoma and 12 core pathways in most pancreatic tumors. This new understanding of cancer genetics could lead to more effective therapies and diagnostics. These findings were published in three separate studies in the journals Nature and Science.