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Updated: May 12, 2026
10:41
An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues
Published on: April 5, 2018
Cancer genome landscapes
Bert Vogelstein1, Nickolas Papadopoulos, Victor E Velculescu
1The Ludwig Center and The Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 30, 2013
Summary
Cancer genome sequencing reveals ~140 driver genes that promote tumor growth. Understanding these genes and their pathways is crucial for developing new cancer treatments and reducing mortality.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Comprehensive cancer genome sequencing has identified the genetic alterations underlying common human cancers.
- Cancer genomes feature a few frequently mutated
- mountains
- and many infrequently mutated
- hills
- genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and classify cancer driver genes and their associated signaling pathways.
- To highlight the importance of understanding these pathways for future cancer research and therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of large-scale cancer genomic datasets.
- Identification of genes with intragenic mutations that promote tumorigenesis.
- Classification of driver genes into signaling pathways regulating core cellular processes.
Main Results:
- Approximately 140 driver genes have been identified that promote tumorigenesis through intragenic mutations.
- A typical tumor harbors two to eight driver gene mutations, with others being passenger mutations.
- Driver genes are organized into 12 signaling pathways governing cell fate, survival, and genome maintenance.
Conclusions:
- Current knowledge of cancer genomes is sufficient to inform the development of improved cancer therapies.
- Understanding cancer driver genes and pathways is essential for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality.
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