Docs ID Prostate Cancer Gene Markers

Connection may lead to better diagnosis, customized treatment

(NEWSER) - Aggressive human prostate cancer cells contain a virus associated with cancer in animals, a discovery that raises hopes for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. "We're not saying this virus causes cancer," cautioned the lead researcher. "The best we can say is it is associated with prostate cancer." More»

(NEWSER) - A group of breast cancer and ovarian cancer patients has filed suit against the Patent Office for allowing a company to patent two human genes, the Courthouse News Service reports. The plaintiffs, who also include medical organizations and the ACLU, allege that Myriad Genetics' patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes mean women are unlawfully "prevented from obtaining information about their health risks from anyone other than the patent holder." More»

Targeted therapy may prevent lethal spread, researchers say

(NEWSER) - Researchers have singled out a gene that spreads breast cancer and makes it chemo-resistant, raising the prospect of drug therapy that localizes the disease and improves survival rates, the Baltimore Sun reports. Scientists believe that metadherin, or MTDH—found in 40% of the breast cancer patients studied—makes tumor cells sticky so they latch onto blood vessels in distant organs. More»

Six variants each add risk for developing the disease

(NEWSER) - Scientists pooling data from European and US studies have identified six more genes associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, the Guardian reports. The study, published in Nature Genetics, found small but significant connections between the genes and the disease, with certain genetic variants linked to a 10-15% increase in risk. Researchers hope the discovery can lead to developments in prevention and treatment. More»