Johns Hopkins Scientists, Cracked Breast and Colon Cancers’ Genetic Code

Scientists from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have completed the first draft of the genetic code for breast and colon cancers, identifying close to 200 mutated genes, most of which were not previously recognized as associated with tumor initiation, growth, spread or control.

According to Victor Velculescu, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center:

“Just as sequencing the human genome laid the groundwork for subsequent research in genetics, these data lay the foundation for decades of research on colon and breast cancers.”

Such findings will guide and provide support for future comprehensive genetic studies concerning cancer.

The scientists’ report is published online in the September 7 issue of Science Express.

Read the full report at EurekAlert and at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.