#Cancer Genomics

[astuteanalyticablog]

Genomic Testing for Cancer: Improving Treatment and Diagnosis

The field of genomics is revolutionizing how people perceive cancer. Clinicians are using it to diagnose drug resistance in patients and give them precise oncology treatments. Additionally, the use of cancer genomes could facilitate early diagnosis and forecast treatment failures. In the end, utilizing genomics in cancer treatment will significantly enhance patient outcomes and increase the treatability of this lethal group of diseases.

A growing number of sophisticated and reliable genetic testing techniques have been developed as a result of the rapid advancement of genomic technologies. Thus, it is anticipated to drive the market growth. In addition, according to a research report by Astute Analytica, the global genomic testing market is likely to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.54% over the projection period from 2023 to 2031.

How can cancer genomics enhance diagnosis?

National screening initiatives, which mostly include physical exams and medical imaging, continue to play a significant role in the diagnosis of cancer. After a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to assist with the diagnosis. The tissue is subjected to molecular testing for cancer-specific biomarkers, and the genetic data obtained is then utilized to select medicines and track the outcomes of treatment.

However, due to the position of the tumor, the biopsy technique is occasionally challenging and frequently uncomfortable for the patient. Additionally, some individuals still do not exhibit a sustained response or do not respond at all after being matched to a therapy. In essence, many cancer treatments are useless, and regrettably, this is frequently difficult to ascertain immediately away. As a result, significant research has been done to enhance the cancer diagnostic process using genomics and other molecular technologies.

How can cancer genomics improve available treatments?

Personalized oncology

Targeted therapies that are tailored to the genetic causes of cancer have been created since the introduction of genomic sequencing. Precision oncology refers to the delivery of personalized cancer care based on the genetic and molecular characteristics of a particular patient's cancer.

When determining which medicine is best for a patient, the practice also takes into account their epigenome, proteome, lifestyle, microbiome, and food. At different stages of precision oncology, understanding cancer genetics is essential to successfully administering targeted therapies. This might come from patient management procedures as well as clinical trials.

Rediscovering of drugs

Large-scale genetic profiling of tumors not only allows for the identification of potential therapeutic molecular variants linked to licensed anticancer medications. It also aids in the identification of variants that may be handled differently from those that are now available and more conventional. A trial with an adaptive design known as the Drug Rediscovery Protocol was started in 2016 to find signs of activity in cancer patients receiving treatment with medications that were not prescribed according to the drug's approved label.

The goal of the study was to gather and disseminate for the first time systematically the successes and failures of these non-traditional medicines. Treatment options can be challenging since tumors can contain numerous driver mutations and are quite complex.

Content Source: - Genomic Testing Market

[mindblowingscience]

Thousands of single changes in the nucleotides that make up the human genome have been associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. But until now, it’s not been clear which are directly responsible for the uncontrolled cellular growth that is the hallmark of the disease and which are simply coincidences or minor players. Stanford researchers have conducted the first large-scale screen of these inherited changes, called single nucleotide variants, and homed in on fewer than 400 that are essential to initiate and drive cancer growth. These variants control several common biological pathways, including those governing whether and how well a cell can repair damage to its DNA, how it produces energy, and how it interacts with and moves through its microenvironment.

Continue Reading.

[hyeriyearner]

hi okay so this might be a hot take. ai sucks ass with respect to pretty much every use it has right now - EXCEPT medicine.

it's being used on a high scale to test out different variables for so many new treatments, vaccines, meds, where you can get a hundred thousand possible simulations of a situation within a. idk. day?

obviously it's not being relied on completely. there's so many procedures to be followed, for safety, but it's speeding things up, there - in one of the most important fields.

[dailycupofcreativitea]

Omg guys so YEEAARRSS ago, when I was 12, my older sister who passed away from colon cancer (diagnosed at 17) got a genetic test done to see if it was hereditary.

Unrelated to my family history of cancer (i.e. motivated purely by fun interest), I got a career as a bioinformatician involved in cancer genome interpretation.

I only heard about this genetic test recently (I'm 25 now), so I asked my mom if she still had the results. And weirdly, I understood them, because the same stuff they were looking for over a decade ago (ex. microsatellite instability status) are stuff we report about tumours at my job.

It's so weird to think that those results were generated when I was 12, and I grew up and (unrelated) pursued a career that eventually led me to understand them 😳

(Also the results were that it's not hereditary, thank goodness. Make sure y'all watch your gut health closely!)

[innonurse]

RTDetective algorithm predicts optimal drugs for genetic disorders and cancer

- By InnoNurse Staff -

Researchers at IRB Barcelona and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) have developed a computational model called RTDetective that predicts which drugs will be most effective in treating diseases caused by mutations leading to incomplete proteins.

These "nonsense mutations" act as stop signs during protein synthesis, contributing to various genetic disorders and cancers. The study, published in Nature Genetics, shows that drug effectiveness depends not only on the mutation itself but also on the surrounding genetic code.

By analyzing 5,800 mutations and testing eight drugs, the researchers generated over 140,000 measurements, enabling accurate predictions. RTDetective can predict the success of drugs across millions of potential stop signs in the human genome, accelerating personalized medicine by matching patients with the best treatment options. The tool could also help optimize clinical trials and guide the development of new drugs.

Future research will focus on confirming the functionality of these drugs and exploring combination therapies.

Read more at CRG

[likitakans]

AI and Health: New Technologies Paving the Way for Better Treatment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expanding rapidly in the health sector, and it is revolutionizing our medical system. With the help of AI, new technologies are being developed that are not only helpful in accurately diagnosing diseases but are also playing an important role in personalized treatment and management.

Quick and accurate diagnosis of diseases AI-based tools can now analyze medical imaging data such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs quickly and accurately. This helps doctors to quickly detect complex conditions such as cancer, heart diseases, and neurological problems.

Personalized medicine AI can help create personalized treatment plans for every individual by analyzing genomics and biometrics. This technology ensures that the patient gets the right medicine and the right dose at the right time.

Improved health management AI-based health apps and wearables such as smart watches are now helping people monitor their health condition. These devices regularly track health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure and sleep quality.

Accelerating medical research The role of AI has become extremely important in the development of new drugs and vaccines. Using AI, scientists can analyze complex data sets and make new medical discoveries faster.

Accessible and affordable healthcare AI technology is helping in delivering affordable and effective healthcare, even in rural and remote areas. Telemedicine and virtual health assistants are bridging the gap between patients and doctors.

Conclusion Artificial intelligence is playing an important role in making healthcare more effective, accurate, and accessible. However, there are challenges such as data security and ethics in the use of AI technology which need to be dealt with. In the coming years, with more advanced and innovative uses of AI, the healthcare landscape may change completely.

[pathologylab]

Join Us for an Insightful #Webinar!

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar, "Explore the Future of Cancer Diagnostics with #Genes2Me Comprehensive Genomic Profiling—PanCan."

📅 : October 30, 2024 (Wednesday)

⏰ : 4:30 PM IST

🌍 : Register now and be part of this webinar : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tqdsIYlWVhExQQY4huCHT17ivAkOqY5EMwxAcmbUrRM/edit

#CancerDiagnostics #GenomicProfiling #diagnostics #testing #awareness #G2M #PanCan #PersonalizedMedicine #FutureOfHealthcare

[jcmarchi]

Alex Shalek named director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/alex-shalek-named-director-of-the-institute-for-medical-engineering-and-science/

Alex Shalek named director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

Alex K. Shalek, the J. W. Kieckhefer Professor in the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences (IMES) and Department of Chemistry, has been named the new director of IMES, effective Aug. 1.

“Professor Shalek’s substantial contributions to the scientific community as a researcher and educator have been exemplary. His extensive network across MIT, Harvard, and Mass General Brigham will be a tremendous asset as director of IMES,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, chief innovation and strategy officer, dean of the School of Engineering, and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “He will undoubtedly be an excellent leader, bringing his innovative approach and collaborative spirit to this new role.”

Shalek is a core member of IMES, a professor of chemistry, and holds several leadership positions, including director of the Health Innovation Hub. He is also an extramural member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research; a member of the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard; an institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; an assistant in immunology at Mass General Brigham; and an instructor in health sciences and technology at Harvard Medical School.

The Shalek Lab’s research seeks to uncover how communities of cells work together within human tissues to support health, and how they become dysregulated in disease. By developing and applying innovative experimental and computational technologies, they are shedding light on a wide range of human health conditions.

Shalek and his team use a cross-disciplinary approach that combines genomics, chemical biology, and nanotechnology to develop platforms to profile and control cells and their interactions. Collaborating with researchers across the globe, they apply these tools to study human diseases in great detail. Their goal is to connect what occurs at a cellular level with what medical professionals observe in patients, paving the way for more precise ways to prevent and treat diseases. 

Over the course of his career, Shalek’s groundbreaking research has earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards and honors. These include an NIH New Innovator Award, a Beckman Young Investigator Award, a Searle Scholar Award, a Pew-Stewart Scholar Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry, and an Avant-Garde (DP1 Pioneer) Award. Shalek has also been celebrated for his dedication as a faculty member, educator, and mentor. He was awarded the 2019-20 Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award at MIT and the 2020 HMS Young Mentor Award.

Shalek received his bachelor’s degree in chemical physics from Columbia University and his master’s and PhD in chemical physics from Harvard University. Prior to joining MIT’s faculty in 2014, he was a postdoc at the Broad Institute.

Shalek succeeds Elazer Edelman, the Edward J. Poitras Professor in Medical Engineering and Science, who has led IMES since April 2018.

“I am grateful to Professor Edelman for his incredible leadership and service to IMES over the past six years,” says Chandrakasan. “His contributions to IMES have been invaluable, and we are thankful for his dedication and vision during his tenure as director.”

[mindblowingscience]

When viruses pay us a visit, they sometimes leave parts of themselves behind. Silently tucked away in our genomes, some of these bits of foreign DNA can get passed down through the generations. They were long thought inactive, but we've since learned these stowaway sequences can be turned back on to wreak all sorts of havoc. Now researchers led by University of Colorado bioinformatician Atma Ivancevic, have found cancers can make use of some of these zombie virus parts for their own benefit.

Continue Reading.

[mohitbisresearch]

The Asia-Pacific genomic cancer panel and profiling market was valued at $1.56 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $4.78 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.81% between 2023 and 2033.

[almadengenomics]

CRC Pathway Analysis for Targeted Interventions

Colon cancer stands as a major cause of cancer-related deaths globally, necessitating enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The variance in patient responses highlights the urgent need for personalized treatment strategies. The study "Multi-omics profiling reveals cellular pathways and functions regulated by ALDH1B1 in colon cancer cells," linked to dataset GSE231706, advances our comprehension of colon cancer's molecular intricacies via ALDH1B1 suppression. This research, which utilizes novel biomarkers and genetic insights, is crucial for advancing personalized medicine by pinpointing specific molecular signatures, thus paving the way for customized treatments that promise to elevate survival rates and patient quality of life. Moreover, the use of the user-friendly, codeless platform g.nome® aims ease biologists ability to discover new targeted therapy pathways.

[innonurse]

Innovative MRI technique 'lights up' pancreatic cancer

- By InnoNurse Staff -

Pancreatic cancer is challenging to detect early because the pancreas is deep in the abdomen, making tumors difficult to identify until it's often too late for treatment. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have developed a new MRI technique that could make these tumors more visible by tracking how cells metabolize glucose.

This method builds on Otto Warburg's discovery that cancer cells consume a large amount of glucose and convert it to lactate.

The new technique uses glucose tagged with deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen, which is injected into the bloodstream. This allows MRI scans to detect the deuterium-labeled lactate produced by cancer cells, which conventional MRI cannot do due to the overwhelming signal from water in tissues.

The researchers found that this deuterium MRI method could detect even small tumors in rodent models of aggressive pancreatic cancer, offering more sensitivity than traditional MRI and PET scans. The approach could potentially allow for earlier detection and better monitoring of pancreatic cancer, though further clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy in humans. The study was led by Prof. Lucio Frydman and Dr. Elton T. Montrazi, along with collaborators at the Weizmann Institute.

Image: A standard MRI scan (left) did not detect a pancreatic tumor, whereas the tumor was distinctly highlighted in an MRI performed after injecting chemically modified glucose (right). Credit: Weizmann Institute of Science.

Read more at Weizmann Institute of Science

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[cbccindia]

Transforming Cancer Care with Precision Oncology

Cancer Immunotherapy stands as a source of encouragement in the landscape of cancer treatment, offering novel approaches that harness the body’s immune system to combat cancer cells. As conventional treatments like Chemotherapy have limitations and can often cause significant side effects, the emergence of Immunotherapy has sparked a new era in oncology, transforming the way we perceive and manage cancer. Let us delve into the intricacies of Cancer Immunotherapy, exploring its mechanisms, efficacy, and impact on cancer treatment, alongside the invaluable contributions of CBCC India in advancing patient care and wellbeing.

[neosciencehub]

Our Research Targets as Many Traits of Cancer as Possible Through Pseudogenes

Our Research Targets as Many Traits of Cancer as Possible Through Pseudogenes @neosciencehub #neosciencehub #science #research #pseudogenes #cancer #NSH #EMBL #NCI #NIH #biology #Genomics #healthcare #DNA #oesophagel #IISER #AI #NCI #

Meet GovadaPravallika, a promising mind who has pursued her Masters in Science from the esteemed Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, one of only six such institutions in India. Currently, she is delving deeper into the realm of Cancer Biology and Genomics for her PhD. She took a leap in her world of genetics and genomics and published a radical research- “Stage II…