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The team used a new technique to analyze sequences of all the genes
from nearly 6,000 tumors from 18 different kinds of cancer. The
researchers obtained the sequencing information from a massive genome
database storehouse called The Cancer Genome Atlas. Their technique and
the availabily of this atlas allowed them to examine more than 200,000
microsatellite sites in many different cancer types.
They found that most cancer types had examples of tumors with
microsatellite instability. They also learned that different cancer
types had distinct patterns of mutation across their microsatellites.
Over half of the microsatellite instability sites they uncovered were
within or near so-called “cancer genes” — genes that that are implicated
in cancer development and progression. This finding suggests the
microsatellite mutations may be causing these genes to malfunction.
The researchers also observed a paradox: patients who had tumors with
comparatively more unstable microsatellite sites tended to survive
longer.
Salipante and his colleagues hypothesize that cancers cells with
relatively high numbers of microsatellite instability events are
producing more mutated proteins of all kinds, not just cancer genes.
These mutated proteins draw the attention of the immune system and
trigger immune attacks that slow tumor progression.
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