(The Guardian) ‘Game-changer’: Australian researchers identify genes that cause sarcomas
Australian researchers have created the first genetic map to identify important genes that cause sarcomas - one of the most common cancers in children, AAP reports.
Sarcomas begin in the body’s connective tissue including bone, muscle, fat and cartilage and make up about 20% of the cancers diagnosed in people under 20. Nearly 2,500 Australians will be diagnosed with one this year alone.
Published this week in the leading journal, Science, Australian-led research reveals one in 14 individuals who develop a sarcoma carry a clinically important gene that explains why it arose.
Lead author Dr Mandy Ballinger of the Garvan Institute: The findings uncovered by this research are so important because by understanding how individuals develop sarcomas, we move closer to earlier detection and better treatments.
Jonathan Granek, who was diagnosed with a sarcoma aged 26, lauded how the new scientific discovery “offers hope to sarcoma patients because it increases the chance of a diagnosis at an early and curable stage”.
Prince of Wales Hospital Associate Prof Kathy Tucker says the results are a game-changer in the field that will fill in many missing pieces to the puzzle, which will change clinical practice.
Australian researchers have created the first genetic map to identify important genes that cause sarcomas - one of the most common cancers in children, AAP reports.
Sarcomas begin in the body’s connective tissue including bone, muscle, fat and cartilage and make up about 20% of the cancers diagnosed in people under 20. Nearly 2,500 Australians will be diagnosed with one this year alone.
Published this week in the leading journal, Science, Australian-led research reveals one in 14 individuals who develop a sarcoma carry a clinically important gene that explains why it arose.
Lead author Dr Mandy Ballinger of the Garvan Institute: The findings uncovered by this research are so important because by understanding how individuals develop sarcomas, we move closer to earlier detection and better treatments.
Jonathan Granek, who was diagnosed with a sarcoma aged 26, lauded how the new scientific discovery “offers hope to sarcoma patients because it increases the chance of a diagnosis at an early and curable stage”.
Prince of Wales Hospital Associate Prof Kathy Tucker says the results are a game-changer in the field that will fill in many missing pieces to the puzzle, which will change clinical practice.
