9 nuevos avances en la lucha contra el cáncer
El pinchazo de 7 minutos para tratar el cáncer · Oncología de precisión · La inteligencia artificial combate el cáncer · Mayor capacidad de ...
ADN de los tumores cancerosos de 12 000 pacientes
En los Hospitales Universitarios de Cambridge (Inglaterra), el <anchor>ADN de los tumores cancerosos de 12 000 pacientes</anchor> está revelando nuevas pistas sobre las causas del cáncer, afirman los científicos. Analizando los datos genómicos, los oncólogos están identificando distintas mutaciones que han contribuido al cáncer de cada persona. Por ejemplo, la exposición al tabaco o a la luz ultravioleta, o fallos internos en las células. Son como "huellas dactilares en una escena del crimen", dicen los científicos, y cada vez se encuentran más. "Hemos descubierto 58 nuevas firmas mutacionales y ampliado nuestros conocimientos sobre el cáncer", afirma el Dr. Andrea Degasperi, autor del estudio y miembro del Departamento de Oncología de Cambridge.
Largest study of whole genome sequencing data reveals new clues to causes of cancer | University of Cambridge
Largest study of whole genome sequencing data reveals new clues to causes of cancer \| University of Cambridge

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# Largest study of whole genome sequencing data reveals new clues to causes of cancer

## [Largest dataset of cancer whole genome sequences \| Serena Nik-Zainal](/file/largest-dataset-of-cancer-whole-genome-sequences-serena-nik-zainal)

## DNA analysis of thousands of tumours from NHS patients has found a ‘treasure trove’ of clues about the causes of cancer, with genetic mutations providing a personal history of the damage and repair processes each patient has been through.

> The reason it is important to identify mutational signatures is because they are like fingerprints at a crime scene - they help to pinpoint cancer culprits
>
> Serena Nik-Zainal

In the biggest study of its kind, a team of scientists led by Professor Serena Nik-Zainal from Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) and the University of Cambridge, analysed the complete genetic make-up or whole-genome sequences (WGS) of more than 12,000 NHS cancer patients.

Because of the vast amount of data provided by whole genome sequencing, the researchers were able to detect patterns in the DNA of cancer, known as ‘mutational signatures’, that provide clues about whether a patient has had a past exposure to environmental causes of cancer such as smoking or UV light, or has internal, cellular malfunctions.

The team were also able to spot 58 new mutational signatures, suggesting that there are additional causes of cancer that we don't yet fully understand. The [results](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl9283) are reported in the journal _Science_.

The genomic data were provided by the [100,000 Genomes Project](https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/initiatives/100000-genomes-project): an England-wide clinical research initiative to sequence 100,000 whole genomes from around 85,000 patients affected by rare disease or cancer.

“WGS gives us a total picture of all the mutations that have contributed to each person’s cancer,” said first author Dr Andrea Degasperi, from Cambridge’s Department of Oncology. “With thousands of mutations per cancer, we have unprecedented power to look for commonalities and differences across NHS patients, and in doing so we uncovered 58 new mutational signatures and broadened our knowledge of cancer.”

“The reason it is important to identify mutational signatures is because they are like fingerprints at a crime scene - they help to pinpoint cancer culprits,” said Serena Nik-Zainal, from the Department of Medical Genetics and an honorary consultant in clinical genetics at CUH. “Some mutational signatures have clinical or treatment implications – they can highlight abnormalities that may be targeted with specific drugs or may indicate a potential ‘Achilles heel’ in individual cancers.

“We were able to perform a forensic analysis of over 12,000 NHS cancer genomes thanks to the generous contribution of samples from patients and clinicians throughout England.  We have also created FitMS, a computer-based tool to help scientists and clinicians identify old and new mutational signatures in cancer patients, to potentially inform cancer management more effectively.”

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, which funded the research, said:

“This study shows how powerful whole genome sequencing tests can be in giving clues into how the cancer may have developed, how it will behave and what treatment options would work best. It is fantastic that insight gained through the NHS 100,000 Genomes Project can potentially be used within the NHS to improve the treatment and care for people with cancer.”

Professor Matt Brown, chief scientific officer of Genomics England said:

“Mutational signatures are an example of using the full potential of WGS. We hope to use the mutational clues seen in this study and apply them back into our patient population, with the ultimate aim of improving diagnosis and management of cancer patients.”

Professor Dame Sue Hill, chief scientific officer for England and Senior Responsible Officer for Genomics in the NHS said:

“The NHS contribution to the 100,000 Genomes Project was vital to this research and highlights how data can transform the care we deliver to patients, which is a cornerstone of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.”

_**Reference:**_


_Andrea Degasperi et al. ‘ [Substitution mutational signatures in whole-genome–sequenced cancers in the UK population](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl9283).’ Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abl9283_

_Adapted from a CUH press release._

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## Published

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## Subjects

- [Cancer](/subjects/cancer)

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## People

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- [Andrea Degasperi](/people/andrea-degasperi)


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