Thriving Cancer's "Chaos" Explained

News Brief by Kathryn Gibb

Scientists from the UK have discovered that diversity in tumors may be linked to a cancer making copies of its genetic code.  Previously, it was thought that when cancer cells replicate, the number of chromosomes would not be split evenly between the two new cells.  It was thought that this difference in chromosomes would lead to cancer diversity.  However, scientists at the UK London Research Institute and at the University College London Cancer Institute have found that cancers can develop DNA replication stress.  When cancers do not have the sufficient building blocks of DNA, there are errors in the DNA replication process.  These errors lead to diversity within cancer.  The scientists found that the most errors were located on a specific region of chromosome 18.  This new evidence may allow scientists to prevent cancer diversity, therefore making it easier to treat.

Gallagher, James. "Thriving Cancer's 'chaos' Explained." BBC News. BBC, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21603235