Genetic Insights into Cancer

A Washington University team of scientists decoded the entire DNA of a woman suffering acute myeloid leukaemia. Although the woman died from the disease, the researchers were able to identify 10 key generic mutations related to her cancer. Only two of these mutations had been recognized before.  

By mapping DNA of other cancer patients, scientists could understand the mutation related to other forms of cancer and develop better targeted drugs. The ability to understand what causes cancer is a landmark discover and will make fighting and defeating the disease more possible.