Oncogene News and Research

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An oncogene is a gene that, when mutated or expressed at high levels, helps turn a normal cell into a tumor cell.

Scientists discover that C35 gene becomes overactive in HER2 positive tumours

UK scientists have discovered that a gene called C35 can work together with other cancer-promoting genes to drive the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells in the lab.

16 Jul 2010

Keck School of Medicine receives grant for research on biomarker impact on breast cancer screening

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) will test whether a set of blood-based biomarkers can assist mammography in the early detection of breast cancer with a $180,000 grant announced today from Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The grant will fund research into whether specific biomarkers, or minute substances in the blood, can effectively distinguish breast cancer patients from their healthy counterparts and whether an inexpensive, less invasive screening strategy can be developed based on this approach.

15 Jul 2010

The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation announces research grants totaling $1.54 million

The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) has awarded 13 collaborative research grants and 3 individual research grants, totaling $1.54 million. The 16 grants represent a portion of the science grant program at the Foundation, which will award more than $2 million this year to cancer research.

14 Jul 2010

Roche obtains global co-exclusive license for PI3K biomarker from QIAGEN

Roche announced today that the company has obtained a worldwide co-exclusive license for the biomarker PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) from QIAGEN to develop real-time and endpoint PCR diagnostic assays. Johns Hopkins University owns the patent for the PI3K biomarker and has previously granted an exclusive license to QIAGEN's wholly owned subsidiary DxS, now QIAGEN Manchester.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 13 Jul 2010

GWAS suggests genetic variant with increased oncogene expression for cancer study

The study, published July 13th in Genome Research, showcases a new protocol for studying the activity of cancer-risk variants suggested by GWAS studies. The results also underscore the dramatic consequences of small genetic changes even in the vast stretches of DNA, known as "gene deserts," that do not code for proteins.

13 Jul 2010

Researchers report how mature red blood cells form

We take our blood for granted, but its creation requires a complicated series of steps, starting with the formation of blood stem cells during early embryonic development, followed by progressive differentiation into the progenitors of red cells, white cells and platelets, and ultimately the full set of blood cells.

9 Jul 2010

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics secures $10M in investments

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics (ACT), a for-profit private company dedicated to bringing new anti-cancer therapies to market, today announced that it has secured $10 million in investments from high net-worth individuals and institutions. This round of investment, which closed six months ahead of the company's year-end goal, will provide ACT additional capital to continue its development and commercialization of potentially lifesaving therapeutics for cancer patients.

2 Jul 2010

Key mechanism present in virgin olive oil protects body against breast cancer: Researchers

Researchers at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, led by Dr Eduard Escrich, have discovered a key mechanism by which virgin olive oil, in contrast to other vegetable oils, protects the body against breast cancer.

30 Jun 2010

Chemotherapy resistant ovarian tumour cells "re-grow" cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered certain ovarian tumour cells that are resistant to chemotherapy can survive a first round of treatment and go on to "re-grow" the cancer. This could help explain why the disease can be difficult to treat, according to new research published in Oncogene today (Monday).

28 Jun 2010

Researchers discover RAF oncogene that may drive aggressive forms of prostate cancer

The Prostate Cancer Foundation announced today that researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered the RAF oncogene that drives fatal melanomas may also drive the aggressive forms of prostate cancer in the clinic.

8 Jun 2010

Asuragen obtains license to integrate BRAF V600E mutation sequence into its molecular diagnostic products

Asuragen, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostics and RNA-based pharmacogenomics services, announced today that it has obtained a non-exclusive license to incorporate the BRAF V600E mutation sequence into Asuragen's molecular diagnostic products. The license was obtained from Johns Hopkins University and includes the use of the BRAF V600E mutation as a component of diagnostic test kits and for use in Asuragen's CLIA laboratory for clinical research and patient testing.

2 Jun 2010

Genentech uses Complete Genomics' sequencing service to compare primary lung tumor, adjacent normal tissue

Complete Genomics Inc., a third-generation human genome sequencing company, today announced that Genentech Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, used the company's sequencing, bioinformatics and analytics services to sequence and compare a patient's primary lung tumor and adjacent normal tissue.

27 May 2010

Blocking the activity of PAT proteins stops cancer cell growth: Scientists

Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have revealed that a set of proteins act as the cell's 'nose' to 'sniff out' molecules which trigger cell growth, according to research published in Oncogene today.

27 May 2010

Scientists develop DNA-vaccine that restricts supply of blood to tumours

A DNA-vaccine that restricts the supply of blood to tumours has been developed by scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. The vaccine slows the growth of breast cancer tumours in mice.

24 May 2010

Researchers discover key gene that promotes development of common kidney cancer

Researchers at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida have discovered a key gene that, when turned off, promotes the development of common kidney cancer. Their findings suggest that a combination of agents now being tested in other cancers may turn the gene back on, providing a much-needed therapy for the difficult-to-treat cancer.

21 May 2010

FibroGen's FG-3019 human monoclonal antibody against CTGF reverses progression of lung fibrosis

FibroGen, Inc. today announced that administration of investigational therapy FG-3019, a human monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), reversed the process of fibrosis in a preclinical model of radiation-induced lung fibrosis, a finding that has implications for treating multiple types of fibrotic disease.

18 May 2010

Response Genetics, GSK sign non-exclusive license agreement for BRAF mutational analysis technology

Response Genetics, Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, today announced it has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK"). Under the terms of the agreement, GSK gains certain rights to Response Genetics' proprietary PCR analysis technology and diagnostic expertise to assess BRAF gene mutations in human tumor samples. Payments will be made to Response Genetics upon achivement of agreed-to milestones.

12 May 2010

Researchers develop new type of drug to kill non-Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells

Three researchers who are recipients of a collaborative grant from the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation have developed a new type of drug designed to kill non-Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells. The breakthrough could lead to potential non-toxic therapies for cancer patients. The Foundation-funded investigators include Ari Melnick, M.D., of Weill Cornell Medical College, Alexander MacKerell, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland and Gilbert Priv-, Ph.D., of the University of Toronto.

11 May 2010

UC San Diego researchers discover potential new treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis

A team of University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers has discovered that common intestinal bacteria appear to promote tumor growths in genetically susceptible mice, but that tumorigenesis can be suppressed if the mice are exposed to an inhibiting protein enzyme.

10 May 2010

Animal study reveals intestinal bacteria can promote tumor growth