single gene defines the difference between aggressive and nonaggressive forms of thymoma -
For a rare form of cancer called thymoma, the researchers discovered a single gene that defines the difference between a fast -growing tumors require aggressive treatment and a slow-growing tumor that does not require intensive therapy.
Thymoma is a cancer derived from epithelial cells of the thymus, an organ essential for the lymphatic system where T cells mature or so-called "killer cells". Very little is known about the role of the gene mutation GTF2l in human tumors, but scientists at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute say almost all indolent forms of thymoma they tested (not aggressive growth slow) have the mutation. They report their finding in the ?? issue Nature Genetics .
"thymoma indolent rarely become aggressive, so the discovery that a single gene can identify tumors that do not require aggressive treatment is an important development for our patients," says principal investigator of the study, Giuseppe Giaccone, MD, PhD, associate director of clinical research at Georgetown Lombardi.
in addition to clinical implications, the study is important because "it is very rare to find a single mutated gene that can define a class of tumors, "he said. ". Usually a large number of genes are involved in fact, we also found that the more aggressive thymoma express the well-known cancer genes found in other tumors. - Who could give us clues about a new treatment for these cancers "
thymus is in the chest behind the sternum Thymoma and a second type of thymus cancer called thymic carcinoma are rare According to.. National cancer Institute, these cancers counted together represent only 0.2 to 1.5 percent of all cancers- a case occurs in about every 700,000 individuals.
most diagnosed patients have surgery but, according to the alleged aggressiveness of the cancer, some patients have radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy in addition to or instead of surgery. "the use of these treatments in thymoma is controversial, because we know that some patients not require aggressive treatment, but so far there has not been a way to know who these patients are, "Giaccone said.
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