Impact of Human Genome Project on Cancer Patients

Keerthi Ranganathan

Scientific Content Developer
4baseCare

The impact of human genome project on cancer patients has been positive. Let us read about it in more detail.

In 1990, a team of international researchers began one of the most ambitious projects conceptualized in the field of modern medicine – the Human Genome Project (HGP). A massive thirteen-year undertaking led to the identification and mapping of every single gene in the human genome, unraveling one of the greatest mysteries of the human body. Since the completion of the project in 2003, scientists have continued to examine and analyze the data that was generated. The HGP allowed scientists to confine the number of predicted genes from a whopping estimated 100,000 to a mere 20-25,000. This comprehensive understanding of DNA, genes, and the human genome also allowed scientists to understand how mutations in these building blocks led to devastating diseases, like cancer.

HGP and Cancer

The HGP not only confirmed the theory that mutations in our DNA led to cancer but also helped us understand how these specific mutations cause cancer. Scientists have subsequently been able to identify and classify specific genes observed in different cancers. The study of the human genome has also enabled researchers to be able to identify inheritable genes, which may pass down from generation to generation and cause cancer. These discoveries revolutionised the way scientists and clinicians approached the diseases, in terms of both diagnosis and treatment. The Human Genome Project revolutionised modes of therapy for cancer patients; it opened up numerous avenues for doctors to take on the path to treatment and provided researchers with new ways to target the disease at its very core. Researchers were able to identify unique molecular defects in patients that were linked to their cancer growth. Using this knowledge, targeted therapies and drugs have been developed to stop or slow the growth of cancer cells and eventually kill them.

Improved Diagnosis

Diagnosing these diseases has also become easier. Previously, physicians would have to extract samples of tissues or cells to detect the presence of cancer. This is an invasive procedure and not only causes patient discomfort but also consumes a lot of time and resources. But now scientists can identify genetic markers of tumors using blood-based tests which eliminates the highly invasive nature of a biopsy without compromising on accuracy.

Personalization of treatment

Another benefit has been the development of personalised medicine by studying the individual genome of a patient. Examination of the changes in the genome due to mutations and epigenetic changes allow investigators to understand exactly what is going on inside the patient, and to tailor a therapeutic strategy specific to their needs. Human genome mapping has helped pioneer novel therapies for cancer patients by allowing scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the disease. The use of genome mapping is not just limited to cancer therapy; the data produced by this gargantuan enterprise is extremely important in the development of better treatment and diagnosis options for countless diseases. The impact of the Human Genome Project on patient lives and their disease outcomes is deep and speaks volumes about how important it is for scientists to come together and help take science forward.

We at 4baseCare are glad to be involved in using the power of genomics for supporting the cancer patients in their fight against cancer. Please feel free to reach out to us for any further information on genomics and cancer