I choose the article, "Gene mutation
'hotspots' linked to better breast cancer outcomes." This article
explained the relationship of Breast Cancer and Kataegis, a new development in
cancer research. Kataegis is a group or cluster of mutations in a localized
spot of a genome. Research done at the University of California School of
Medicine suggests that the presence of Kataegis has some positive indications
in patient outcomes. The location of Kataegis on certain chromosomes, and the
presence of Kataegis are linked to longer life spans.
One of the researchers,
Matteo D'Antonio, said in the article, "We think kataegis mutations
are dampening the abnormal expression of neighboring genes that might otherwise
contribute to tumor development and invasiveness." Kataegis in breast
cancer patients could also contribute to better and more individualized
treatments for patients. While there is still a lot to discover in regards to
kataegis, over 170 clinical trials are in progress to better understand the
role of Kataegis in breast cancer treatment.
This article was particularly interesting to me because my
paternal grandmother passed away from breast cancer fifteen years ago. Because
of my family history, I am hyperaware of research that has to do with breast
cancer prevention or treatment, as I could be more prone to develop this type
of cancer. The positive implications of Kataegis on breast cancer patients is
very encouraging and as scientists discover more about Kataegis, I hope that
new ways of prevention or treatment will also be discovered.
Caitlin McGrath
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/06/30/gene_mutation_hotspots_linked_to_better_breast_cancer_outcomes.html
Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteInteresting article. My grandmother had breast cancer and had both breasts fully removed. She didn't end up dying of cancer but ended up dying of pneumonia from a weakened immune system. She was in her 80s though. So if I am understanding correctly if someone with the mutations to BRCA1 and BRCA2 that also have the mutation Kataegis have a better chance of survival if they do get breast cancer? Your summary states The location of Kataegis on certain chromosomes, and the presence of Kataegis are linked to longer life spans. Does this mean the mutation of Kataegis can exist on other chromosomes but not be linked to a longer life span? From reading the article did you get a sense to if all people have Kataegis mutations or just some? Do you know from reading any of the research if Kataegis is harmful if linked to other chromosomes?
Thanks,
RW
I did a little bit more reading about Kataegis, and it has been linked to positive outcomes than patients lacking the Kataegis. The study I read also included data from other types of cancer.
DeleteI get the sense from my research that Kataegis is another mutation that simply blocks the growth of the tumors. It could also provide better options for therapy and/or prevention of certain kinds of cancer. I am not completely sure about all of the chromosomal implications but the article did say some of the ones they are found on, "We observed that the 132 kataegis loci are preferentially located on chromosomes 8, 17, and 22 and depleted on chromosomes 2, 9, and 16." I haven't seen anything on the harmful affects of Kataegis, but there might be.
I think this whole concept of Kategis is super interesting and I love anything that can lead to higher rates of survival in cancer patients. Thanks for commenting! CM
http://www.cell.com/cell-reports/pdf/S2211-1247(16)30766-5.pdf
This article is very interesting and I never even knew about Kataegis. I just read up on it to understand it a little more. Is it kind of a new thing that we have just discovered? Or is it an older treatment that has been around and known of for many years now?
ReplyDeleteJ. RYAN
Hi J. Ryan,
DeleteI found an interesting video on YouTube on Kataegis. It was published in 2012. It is interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ3HDiM4-2s
From what I can understand, the ability to see Kataegis has only been in recent years when scientists could actually see the whole mutation catalog in these types of genomes.
According to this video that was published in 2011 it is now possible to sequence every gene in a human cancer cell. Lead to new insights to cancer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE8TY0gT--g
Thanks,
RW
Any tool we have to help fight cancer is a powerful one. I am curious to know what kind of trials are being run with Kataegis? Is this similar to other breast cancer treatment methods, or how is the patient receiving it? How did they figure this out?
ReplyDeleteTL
Im not very familiar with Kataegis, i was wondering if only cancer patients had them or is this something all individuals have ?
ReplyDeleteRuth Guerra
Ruth Guerra,
DeleteAfter doing some research, I came to find some answers to your questions. First, Kataegis is a hypermutaition found in small genome groups. Only cancer patients have these, because they are a type of mutation, which, essentially is what cancer really is.The problem with these mutations and what makes cancer so dangerous and scary is there are many different kinds, which makes it harder to find treatment.
M.E.
"The location of Kataegis on certain chromosomes, and the presence of Kataegis are linked to longer life span". this caught my interest since there are many things that can lead to a longer healthier life. it seems that recently i have read about how life does have a cap to it according to NAT geo. but i don't know if theres any more informaiton on this?
ReplyDeleteMC
This article sheds interesting light on one of the body's functions to protect the body from cancer. As more information on this mutation, maybe duplication of Kataegis can be made possible and fight cancer cells from within the body. SRH
ReplyDelete