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Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
11:15

Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors

Published on: September 20, 2016

[Towards an inventory of oncogenic mutations in cancer]

C Theillet1

  • 1Institut de recherche en cancérologie de Montpellier, Université de Montpellier-I, Montpellier, France. charles.theillet@valdorel.fnclcc.fr

Bulletin Du Cancer
|November 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cancer development involves somatic mutations and genome rearrangements. Identifying driver mutations among hundreds of cancer genes is crucial for understanding tumor phenotypes.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Oncology

Context:

  • Cancer development was initially understood through somatic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
  • Cancer cell genomes exhibit significant rearrangements impacting cellular organization and function.
  • Technological advancements have led to the identification of numerous cancer-associated genes, including those affected by structural variations, mutations, epigenetic modifications, and miRNAs.

Purpose:

  • To address the challenge of distinguishing driver mutations from passenger mutations in cancer.
  • To elucidate the oncogenic signaling cascades underlying diverse tumor phenotypes.

Summary:

  • The understanding of cancer has evolved from a simple model of somatic mutations to recognizing complex genomic rearrangements.
  • The continuous discovery of hundreds of cancer genes, including epigenetic alterations and miRNAs, presents a significant challenge.
  • Differentiating critical driver mutations from inconsequential passenger mutations is essential for deciphering cancer's molecular basis.

Impact:

  • Facilitates a deeper understanding of cancer at the molecular level.
  • Aids in the development of targeted cancer therapies by identifying key oncogenic drivers.
  • Provides a framework for classifying tumors based on their underlying genetic and epigenetic profiles.

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