Personal genome for Personal cancer therapy

For the first time for the treatment of a person, his full genome has been sequenced
Dmitry Tselikov, Compulenta 

Specialists from the Mayo Clinic and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (USA) have successfully completed sequencing of the complete genome of an oncological patient — taking into account both normal and cancer cells. (The joint press release "Whole genome sequencing used to help inform cancer therapy" is published on the website of The Translational Genomics Research Institute — VM.)

It would seem nothing special, but in this case, sequencing was carried out (perhaps for the first time) for the sake of providing medical care to a specific patient, and such a practice may soon become ubiquitous.

By comparing the DNA of a pancreatic tumor and normal cells, the researchers found genetic changes (mutations) that are important for developing an optimal treatment method. In the future, all cancer patients will be able to hope for such an individual approach.

"We have demonstrated the clinical usefulness of complete genome sequencing," explains one of the leaders of the research group, Keith Stewart from the Mayo Clinic. "The more we do this, the closer we will get to personal genetic medicine, which will minimize the risk of the disease."

Recall that for the first time the complete genome of one person was sequenced in 2003 by an international group of scientists working in the Human Genome project. It took 13 years and almost $2.7 billion. And now, just eight years later, the same thing is being done for medical purposes. "No one thought it would be possible so soon," notes Mitesh Borad of the Mayo Clinic. — And yet we are at the very beginning of the process. There are still many unresolved issues."

"We do not yet have full knowledge of all the observed genetic mutations, how they are consistent with the drugs used for treatment," explains Jeffrey Trent, president and director of research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute. "What we are doing is just a prototype of the medicine of the future."

So far, sequencing the entire genome still requires huge technological and human resources.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru16.02.2011