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Updated: May 8, 2026
11:02
Detecting Somatic Genetic Alterations in Tumor Specimens by Exon Capture and Massively Parallel Sequencing
Published on: October 18, 2013
Emerging patterns of somatic mutations in cancer
Ian R Watson1, Koichi Takahashi, P Andrew Futreal
1Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|September 12, 2013
Summary
Deep DNA sequencing reveals cancer mutation landscapes. This review explores comparative genomics, mutation drivers, and the clinical translation of these findings.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- High-throughput DNA sequencing technologies have advanced cancer research.
- Comprehensive characterization of somatic mutations in tumors is now feasible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent cancer genomic studies and their insights into mutation landscapes.
- To discuss comparative genomics, mutation drivers, and statistical approaches.
- To explore the translation of genomic data into clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Deep-sequencing analyses of coding exomes and whole genomes.
- Comparative genomics across various cancer types.
- Statistical approaches for identifying significantly mutated genes.
Main Results:
- Emerging views of somatic mutation landscapes in diverse cancers.
- Understanding of mutation rates, spectra, and environmental influences.
- Identification of key genes and biological insights from genomic data.
Conclusions:
- Cancer genomic studies provide critical biological and clinical insights.
- Translating genomic data into clinical impact remains a challenge.
- Continued research is essential for advancing cancer treatment and prevention.
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