Big advance in cancer treatment

Yesterday, the researchers presented in Oviedo, Spain a breakthrough against tumors. In fact, scientists and medical experts, the same as yesterday spoke of the genetic pathway to combat this evil named, estimated that the number of cancer cases diagnosed worldwide in 2007, 12 million, will grow relentlessly to reach 27 million annual diagnoses around the year 2050. Also increase exponentially their dead: of the eight million three years ago were no less than 18 million in 40.

The explanation of the increase is simple: we live longer. Happen, therefore, more gene mutations in our cells and therefore the tumor occurs in a greater number of individuals. Occurs because “cancer is a genetic disease” and what was presented yesterday, is just that, the early genetic studies to address the 50 most common cancers among the rich. “In developed countries,” where you live longer.

To obtain reliable data, scientists from the ‘International Cancer Genome Consortium’ (ICGC) discussed during the next five years, the not inconsiderable figure of 25,000 tumors. Basically their DNA sequenced and interpreted the result. In Spain, the research will focus on chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which have been sequenced so far five genomes, which are those on which the notice, the enthusiasm and expectations. 5 500, a total of 25,000. But is that the first human genome decoding, just one, cost millions of euros and 10 years of work. Now, these 5 have been deciphered at three days each and with a unit cost of 30,000 euros.

It has been done in the National Center for Genome Analysis of Barcelona. A center established and paid by the Ministry of Science and Innovation to tackle this project in which Spain participates from the outset. In total, for 25 million euros, of which nearly half has led the Centre. Today, along with Spain, participating in the ICGC, France, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, India, China, Japan, Australia, the United States and the European Union. The latter, focused on nothing less than brain tumors, lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer and acute myeloid leukemia, is the only one who does not share their information freely with the rest.