Good news for New Year - 100 KGP and NHS !

[Doc Alan]

• The 100,000 Genome Project ( 100 KGP ) is a plan to sequence whole genomes ( complete sets of genes ) by " Genomics England " on cancer patients, individuals with rare genetic diseases, and their relatives. This is an NHS project initially for patients from England, but later hopefully elsewhere in the UK. It’s already had a small " test run " this year. Genomics England is owned and funded by the Department of Health.


• Eleven hospitals across England will start recruiting patients in the New Year.


• For over a decade the Human Genome Project has meant it’s been possible to sequence the DNA sequence of humans. Now it can be done in a few days for under £ 1,000. The NHS is well placed to link a patient’s medical record with their genome data. Clearly patients need to give informed consent, and the system must be as secure and anonymous as possible, so that individuals can’t be identified, unless the data is to be used by their own doctor for their treatment.


• This is NOT the same as screening of apparently healthy people with no significant family history of cancer or genetic disease.


• Cancer – purposeless proliferation of cells – is all about genes and DNA mutations in what were previously normal cells. There are many different kinds of cancer, and an increasing number can be cured. " Making war on ", or " the battle against ", cancer is neither helpful or accurate !


• Already what we know has helped us understand the dozen or so different types of breast cancer and allowed use of a drug for one type – so-called personalised medicine. Similarly, by studying other known genetic diseases we will find more about mutations / changes which could be used to develop new treatments.


• Of course there are concerns around privacy and confidentiality, together with ensuring the UK tax payer will benefit if companies successfully develop diagnostic tests, drugs, devices, and treatments through use of the data. 110 KGP will also mean more work for geneticists !


• This really DOES seem to be the future for healthcare – personalised treatment based on an individual patient’s genome ; which will allow " targeted drugs " ; radiotherapy ; and even tracking of infections ( by looking at genomes of bugs ).


• 100 KGP is not guaranteed to succeed. Most medics hope it will. The future lies in precise, safer, effective treatment – not " one size fits all medicine " , which surely belongs to the past. It’s good news that OUR NHS is involved in the forefront of science, allowing us to more accurately prevent, diagnose and treat cancers and other genetic diseases - a revolution which should benefit patients in England, the rest of the UK, and elsewhere in the world .


http://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/the...nomes-project/

[Doc Alan]

While cardiovascular diseases cause a third of deaths in both the UK and the Philippines, cancers cause about a third of deaths in the UK and a tenth of deaths in the Philippines.


The proportions differ between the two countries – in the UK lung cancer causes over a fifth in males and females ; in the Philippines about a quarter in males and a tenth in females. The commonest cause of cancer death in females is lung ( UK ) and breast ( Philippines ). Lung cancer is the commonest cause for males in both UK and Philippines. In the UK large bowel is also an important cancer site for males and females ; with prostate even commoner. In the Philippines liver and large bowel are important sites for males and females ; also prostate and cervix.


We’ve known for many years that factors such as smoking, bad diet, alcohol excess, lack of exercise and obesity, infections, environmental pollution, radiation, occupation, and genetics play a role in causation of cancers. As many as 2/5 MAY thus be preventable. The risk with increasing age can’t be changed.


Now a study from the U.S. has been widely reported in the media as claiming that the majority ( 2/3 ) of cancers are just down to bad luck. The scientific team looked at 31 cancer types, finding that only 9 were linked to lifestyle or genetic faults. The rest were due to random mutations in frequently dividing stem cells. It’s a statistical study - correlating stem cell divisions and cancer frequencies. Already it’s been criticised by other experts as over- ( or wrongly ) interpreting data to boost public interest.


There’s a danger it may have the opposite effect . The cynical public may conclude that the experts can’t agree, and if most cancers really are due to " bad luck ", what’s the point in changing " unhealthy lifestyles " ?


Reducing the probability of getting cancers is NOT the only benefit of a " healthy lifestyle ". The risks of other serious diseases – cardiovascular, diabetes, and consequences of obesity – may all be reduced in addition. So, try to persevere in this New Year !


It’s true that some smokers may live to 100, non smokers may get lung cancer, and other cancers occur for which there is no obvious cause – very hard for the patients and their relatives to understand and accept. Doctors would do well to handle such people with more sensitivity than " Hard luck mate, it’s life’s lottery and we have no idea why you’ve got this cancer ".


Screening ( no symptoms ) has its limitations. Early diagnosis of symptoms is vital. The 100,000 Genome Project aims to find the genetic abnormalities in people who ALREADY have cancers and inherited diseases – so that they may be personally treated more safely and effectively in the future. That must surely benefit future patients - not only in the UK but elsewhere. Its cost is trivial compared to the cost of treating such illnesses by " blockbuster drugs ", major surgery and radiotherapy.


Health concerns us all .

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/...er_study_shows

[Michael Parnham]

Thanks for another informative thread Alan. As you say, "Health concerns us all", keep it up!

[grahamw48]

Fascinating stuff Alan.

Some really exciting science being done at the moment.