{"id":1279,"date":"2024-07-03T00:01:16","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T00:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/03\/why-whole-genome-sequencing-can-improve-child-cancer-treatments\/"},"modified":"2024-07-03T00:01:16","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T00:01:16","slug":"why-whole-genome-sequencing-can-improve-child-cancer-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/03\/why-whole-genome-sequencing-can-improve-child-cancer-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Why whole genome sequencing can improve child cancer treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Decoding the entire genetic sequence of a child\u2019s cancer should become standard practice in the NHS.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s according to researchers who found it improved care in many cases \u2013 and provided more benefits than current tests.<\/p>\n

Doctors studied the whole genome sequence of cancers in 281 children. In nearly a third of cases, it provided additional information about their illness and future treatment.<\/p>\n

For 20 children, it improved decisions about their care that couldn\u2019t have been made without \u201cgold standard\u201d whole genome sequencing.<\/p>\n

Some kind of genetic testing is performed on most cancer types and looks for certain mutations in the DNA of tumour cells (or blood cells in the case of blood cancers).<\/p>\n

This can have a direct impact on how well the cancer might respond to treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.<\/p>\n

But the genetic features of a cancer are particularly important in children \u2013 and multiple tests are often performed during a child\u2019s treatment.<\/p>\n

A whole genome sequence test looks at all the mutations that might be present in a tumour or blood cancer cell and includes the \u201cnormal\u201d genetic background of the individual, represented by genes unconnected to disease.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s offer this to every child who walks through the door,\u201d said study author Professor Sam Behjati at the Wellcome Sanger Institute near Cambridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a powerful example of the genomic data revolution of healthcare that enables us to provide better, individualised care for children with cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cambridge University Hospitals Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital also took part in the study.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn-depth genetic understanding of cancer is crucial in guiding our practice,\u201d said co-author Dr Jack Bartram at Great Ormond Street Hospital.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur research shows that whole genome sequencing delivers tangible benefits above existing tests.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the children in the study was Eddie Pessoa de Araujo, diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) when he was six.<\/p>\n

Whole genome sequencing allowed Dr Bartram, who is also Eddie\u2019s consultant, to know his individual cancer was likely to respond well to standard chemotherapy treatment.<\/p>\n

Eddie, now nine, has just completed treatment for T-ALL, which is now in remission.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving access to whole genome sequencing gave us some sense of reassurance, it could have informed us about targeted treatments and gave us some insight into future risk,\u201d said Eddie\u2019s mum Harri.<\/p>\n

The whole genome of Eddie\u2019s cancer also revealed that his brother was not at increased risk of T-ALL.<\/p>\n

Through its Genomic Medicine Service, NHS England already offers whole genome sequencing for any child diagnosed with cancer, but it\u2019s not routinely used by most hospitals.<\/p>\n

The researchers conclude that it should be, and not just because of improvements to patient care.<\/p>\n

Collecting more genetic information on the harmful mutations \u2013 and the normal genetic background in which they occur \u2013 of child cancer patients in the NHS would represent an invaluable resource for research.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe UK is poised to be leading the world in cancer genomics research in children,\u201d said Prof Behjati.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on sky.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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