Disease Progression And Survival Of Cervical Cancer Patients: Genetic Changes Are Important Indicators

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Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Genetics
Article Date: 13 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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A study by Norwegian researchers published November 13 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics reports that cervical cancer patients with specific changes in the cancer genome have a three- or fourfold increased risk of relapse after standard treatment compared to patients without these changes. Research suggests that specific genetic changes are critical steps in the progression of the disease towards an aggressive and treatment-resistant state.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide. It is a major cause of cancer-related death. For that reason, the researchers sought to investigate whether these genetic changes could add information to clinical data obtained through standard examination methods, and if it could be used to identify patients who need additional treatment. Earlier studies have revealed that the cancer cells of cervical cancer patients display numerous genetic changes. However, their importance for disease progression and treatment resistance is unclear.

Lead author Heidi Lyng and colleagues examined more than 140 patients diagnosed and treated at the Norwegian Radium Hospital. They used screening methods that covered all genes in the human genome. The researchers report that their key finding is the discovery of a set of biological processes that are known hallmarks of cancer associated with gains and losses of specific genes. Furthermore, they identify novel loci associated with resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, and depict the genes involved.

This research represents a main step in understanding the development of cervical cancer. However, the authors stress that the results need to be corroborated in independent patient cohorts before they can be considered for use in clinical decision making.

The study was supported by The National Programme for Research in Functional Genomics (FUGE) in the Research Council of Norway, The Norwegian Cancer Society, and the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority.

"Gene Dosage, Expression, and Ontology Analysis Identifies Driver Genes in the Carcinogenesis and Chemoradioresistance of Cervical Cancer"
Lando M, Holden M, Bergersen LC, Svendsrud DH, Stokke T, et al.
(2009) PLoS Genet 5(11): e1000719
doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000719
PLoS Genetics

Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)
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