New Method of Analysis Organises Cancer Data of a Genomic Nature
There is new hope for the discovery of novel ways of choosing the best possible treatments options of the types of cancer that individual patients have, this is as a result of new technology being made that enables scientists to profile the genome of specific tumours in their entirety. Nonetheless, the data produced from this type of profiling is vast; this brings forth many complications in its analysis.
A novel analytical method that originates from a concept known as multiplicity can be used in the organisation of vast amounts of information and data. This method was described by a group of research scientists from the HCI (Huntsman Cancer Institute) at the University Of Utah. The scientists made this information available through the online publication 'Journal BMC Medical Genomics'. If properly implemented the scientists data analysis method would enable the formation of 3D models that would show previously unseen links between the genes that have an involvement in the different types of cancer.
An HCI investigator and assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, Lewis Frey, Says that the above mentioned method of data analysis displays similar genetic profiles for various cancer types, this could herald the start of trials and tests for drugs already previously approved for the treatment of other cancer forms. He went on to say that the analytical methods would be able to bring new understanding of the genetic links between various cancers; this would help scientists to search only for the genetic mutations that specifically cause cancer.
The individuals that contributed to the authoring of this article are: A postdoctoral research assistant from the University of Utah, PHD, Stephen R. Piccolo and another associate professor from the MD Anderson Cancer Centre's Pathology Department, Mary E. Edgerton, PHD, and MD.