Scientists Complete Genomic Analysis of Cervical Cancer: Possible New Treatments

Researchers have made a breakthrough when it comes to cervical cancer. They've completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations. The study identified recurrent genetic mutation not previously found, including at least one for which targeted treatments have been approved for other forms of cancer. The findings could be huge when it comes to the treatment of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and is responsible for approximately 10 percent of cancer deaths in women. Almost all cases of the disease are caused by exposure to HPV.

In order to examine the genomic underpinnings of the disease, though, the researchers performed whole exome sequencing on samples from 115 cervical cancer patients from Norway and Mexico. This examined the genetic code in the protein-coding regions of the genome. In each case, the scientists compared genomic data derived from cervical cancer tumors with genomic data from healthy tissue from the same individual.

In the end, the scientists identified 13 mutations that occurred frequently enough across the samples to be considered significant in cervical cancer. Eight of these mutations hadn't been linked to the disease previously. In addition, only two had not previously been seen in any cancer type. One of the most significant findings were somatic point mutation in the gene ERBB2, which was found in a small but significant subset of the tumors. Mutations in this gene had not previously been linked to cervical cancer, but there are known treatments that target that gene.

"This suggests that a subset of cervical cancer patients could be candidates for clinical trials involved ERBB2 inhibitors, which are available and FDA-approved," said Akinyemi Ojesina, one of the researchers, in a news release.

The findings are important for better understand cervical cancer. More specifically, it could help treat those suffering from the disease.

"It is hoped that, as we combine vaccination strategies and novel targeted therapies, we will be better able to combat the scourge that is cervical cancer," said Ojesina in a news release.

The findings are published in the journal Nature.