![Genes and Lung Cancer]()
In research published in the December 18 issue of PLOS One, Simon Spivack, M.D., MPH, describes genome-wide changes in methylation that are associated with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Adding or subtracting methyl groups from the DNA base cytosine can accelerate or silence gene transcription. Dr. Spivack and his colleagues mapped the “landscape” of genome methylation (and genome-wide transcription) by comparing NSCLC cells with cells from neighboring noncancerous tissue. They identified more than 37,000 “hotspots” in genes that were dysregulated in cancer. This unbiased approach to analyzing the methlyation patterns of whole genomes identified new genes, along with newly found “hotspots” in previously studied genes, which appear to play a role in NSCLC biology. Some of these genes and hotspots could serve, if corroborated in future studies, as biomarkers for identifying individuals at-risk for developing into cancer. They may also offer therapeutic targets. Dr. Spivack is professor of medicine, of epidemiology & population health and of genetics at Einstein, and chief of pulmonary medicine at Montefiore.
Posted on: Friday, January 29, 2016