Genes Archives

Genomic sequencing of difficult breast cancers

Life Technologies, TGen and US Oncology partner on groundbreaking breast cancer sequencing research — First-of-its-kind project will sequence difficult breast cancers to provide insight into treatment strategies – Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) announced that it is collaborating with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and US Oncology to sequence the genomes of 14 patients afflicted with triple negative breast cancer whose tumors have progressed despite multiple other therapies.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to skin cancer

Henry Ford Hospital study shows link between vitamin D, skin cancer – A Henry Ford Hospital study has shown a link between Vitamin D levels and basal cell carcinoma, a finding that could lead researchers to better understand the development of the most common form of skin cancer.

Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu

Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu – Genetic interactions between avian H5N1 influenza and human seasonal influenza viruses have the potential to create hybrid strains combining the virulence of bird flu with the pandemic ability of H1N1, according to a new study.

Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun died of malaria

Study examines family lineage of King Tut, his possible cause of death – Malaria and bone abnormalities appear to have contributed to the death of Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun, revealed by researchers.

Genetic link between breast density and breast cancer

Study reveals genetic link between mammographic density and breast cancer – A University of Melbourne study has revealed that certain breast cancer genetic variants increase mammographic density, confirming the link between mammographic breast density and breast cancer.

Genes found linked to breast cancer drug resistance

Genes found linked to breast cancer drug resistance could guide future treatment choices – Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a gene activity signature that predicts a high risk of cancer recurrence in certain breast tumors that have been treated with commonly used chemotherapy drugs.

Obesity enhances liver cancer risk

Obesity comes with plenty of health risks, but there’s one that’s perhaps not so well known: an increased risk of developing cancer, and especially certain types of cancer like liver cancer. – Epidemiological studies indicate that being overweight or obese is associated with increased cancer risk. The most dramatic effect of obesity on cancer risk has been noted for a common form of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC.

Gene variation linked to lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease

Gene variation associated with lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer disease – Preliminary research suggests that variation of a gene for a plasma protein is associated with slower age-related memory decline and a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD).

Green tea may reduce lung cancer risk in smokers

Green tea could modify the effect of cigarette smoking on lung cancer risk – Drinking green tea could modulate the effect of smoking on lung cancer. Results of this hospital-based, randomized study conducted in Taiwan were presented at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, held here from Jan_11-14, 2010.

Two new genes identified causing ankylosing spondylitis

UT rheumatologists advance genetic research related to disabling form of arthritis – Work done in part by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has led to the discovery of two new genes that are implicated in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory and potentially disabling disease.

Pomegranates may prevent breast cancer growth

Natural compounds in pomegranates may prevent growth of hormone-dependent breast cancer – Eating fruit, such as pomegranates, that contain anti aromatase phytochemicals reduces the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer, according to results of a study published in the January issue of Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

H1N1 influenza severity linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Severity of H1N1 influenza linked to presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae – The presence of the Streptococcus pneumoniae in samples that can be easily obtained in clinics and emergency rooms may predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza.