A team of researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research in London compared the profile of 730 men with testicular cancer against healthy men. Through their work, they identified three “rogue genes” on chromosomes 5, 6 and 12 that many of the patients had in common – and which healthy men do not have. They found that men with any of the faulty genes have an elevated risk of getting testicular cancer. Specifically, men with the genetic variant most closely linked to the disease are at a two to three times higher risk – and inheriting all three genes quadruples the risk.
“We have known for some time that men whose father, brothers or sons had testicular cancer are much more likely to get it themselves and we have been searching for this genetic link,” says Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Rapley. “We have identified three genetic factors linked to an increased risk of testicular cancer. We believe there are more still to be found and we are working on identifying the rest.” And in fact, the researchers are currently trying to recruit 3,000 men with testicular cancer to participate in a study that they hope will help them identify more genetic risk factors.
As Dr. Rapley and her team note, the genetic variants were found near those genes that are responsible for the survival and development of cells that ultimately form sperm. Their findings suggest that disrupting the work of these important cells could be one mechanism by which cancer is able to grow. Furthermore, the researchers found that the rogue genes were present in every cell of the patients’ bodies. This, they emphasize, points to unequivocal evidence that the genes are inherited.
The scientists believe that identifying these “rogue genes” may help expedite the development of screening programs that could improve the rates of early detection and prevention. Says Professor Mike Stratton from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and another member of the research team: “By combining these genetic risks with other known risk factors it may be possible in the future to identify men who are at high risk of developing testicular cancer, particularly those who have a brother or father already affected by the disease. This may allow early detection or prevention.” And adds Ed Yong, of the charity Cancer Research UK: “While more than 95 percent of testicular cancer patients are successfully treated, finding genes that increase the risk of this cancer is important. It tells us more about its basic biology and presents new opportunities to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease in those men most at risk – men aged under 50.”
A smaller separate study conducted by American researchers echoed their findings. In the U.S. study, a specific gene was found to be more active in some types of testicular cancer cells. However, they had not determined whether the gene was inherited or somehow associated with the cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
News Release: Testicular cancer genetic advance www.news.bbc.co.uk May 31, 2009
News Release: Scientists pinpoint faulty genes in new hope for testicular cancer test http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1189896/Testicular-cancer-test-horizon-scientists-pinpoint-faulty-genes.html June 1, 2009
