Cancer patients to join 100,000 Genomes Project

The first cancer patients have been recruited to take part in the 100,000 Genomes Project in England.

The project aims to sequence 100,000 complete sets of DNA from 70,000 NHS patients to build a more detailed understanding of how their DNA affects susceptibility to disease and response to treatment.

Researchers hope that the recruitment of cancer patients for the project will have potential benefits to patients in the UK, as well as helping the global fight against cancer.

Patients involved will have a test performed on a tumour, which will then be analysed alongside healthy cells from blood or saliva samples.

George Freeman, Life Sciences Minister, said: “The recruitment of cancer patients is a significant milestone in the revolutionary 100,000 Genomes Project. It will help to unlock our understanding of the causes of this devastating condition, make the UK a leader in genetic research, and provide better diagnosis and more targeted treatment for thousands of NHS patients across the UK.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Genomics is the future of medicine and the sequencing of cancer DNA confirms why the UK is a global leader in this field. Over half a billion pounds has been invested in genomics to ensure that NHS patients continue to benefit from the prospect of better diagnosis and better treatments.”

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This story was first published in digitalhealth.net

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