NCI’s TARGET Initiative reported the discovery of a novel genetic marker for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the January 7, 2009, advance online edition of The New England Journal of Medicine. The genetic alteration identified, IKZF1, should improve clinicians’ ability to identify high-risk patients and better assign these patients to appropriate therapy.

October 23, 2008

Comprehensive genomic characterization defines human glioblastoma genes and core pathways
Nature
Vol 455

The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network reported the first results of its large-scale, comprehensive study of the most common form of brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM) in the advance online edition of the journal Nature, released September 4, 2008. Among the TCGA findings are the identification of many gene mutations involved in GBM, including three previously unrecognized mutations that occur with significant frequency; and the delineation of core pathways disrupted in this type of brain cancer. One of the most exciting results is an unexpected observation that points to a potential mechanism of resistance to a common chemotherapy drug used for brain cancer.
*Advance online edition released September 4, 2008; final article published in the October 23, 2008 issue of Nature.

September 9, 2008

Genome Surveys Reveal Complexity of Brain Cancers
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 5 / Number 18

This NCI Cancer Bulletin article features one of the most comprehensive studies to date of the molecular changes underlying brain cancer. The TCGA Research Network analyzed 206 glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors using an integrated approach based on multiple types of genetic data and clinical information. Highlighting three genes found in the disease – ERBB2, NF1, and TP53, these findings significantly expand our current knowledge about the genetic networks involved in this deadly disease and potential therapeutic strategies.

May 27, 2008

TCGA Moving Molecular Oncology Forward
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 5 / Number 11

This guest update by Dr. Daniela S. Gerhard looks at the progress of TCGA pilot project and the value seen by researchers through data being developed and shared across the globe along with its offering of new technologies and tools to propel molecular oncology with precision and efficiency.

February 10, 2008

Multiple loci identified in a genome-wide association study of prostate cancer
Nature Genetics
Vol 40, Issue 3

The prostate cancer study looks at the association between multiple loci and the susceptibility to prostate cancer, which could be used as an indicator for high risk individuals (subscription required).

May 29, 2007

Common Genetic Variants Linked to Breast Cancer
NCI Cancer Bulletin
Volume 4 / Number 18

Researchers have identified common genetic variations associated with breast cancer in several populations of women. The variants occur in a tumor suppressor gene called FGFR2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2), which was previously reported to be amplified or overexpressed in some breast cancers.

September 15, 2006

Small Molecules, Big Players: the National Cancer Institute's Initiative for Chemical Genetics
AACR Cancer Research
66, 8935-8942

The Initiative for Chemical Genetics (ICG), created by NCI, enables public research using small molecules to accelerate the discovery of cancer-relevant small-molecule probes. This report outlines how the ICG functions, how researchers can take advantage of its screening, chemistry and informatic capabilities, and provides a brief summary of some of the many important research findings (subscription required).