Cancer Genome Project

Cancers occur due to abnormalities in DNA and are the cause of death in one in five people in the Western world. As such, it is the most common genetic disease. In October 1999, the Wellcome Trust and the Institute of Cancer Research funded a new initiative, the Cancer Genome Project, to identify which of our approximately 30 000 genes are involved in the development of cancer.

A blood vessel that has grown into a melanoma and is providing nourishment to it. Credit: K. Hodivala-Dilke & M. Stone, Wellcome Images

Dr Andy Futreal at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Professor Mike Stratton at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

A cell from a human melanoma (skin cancer) cell line. Credit: Anne Weston, LRI, CRUK, Wellcome Images

Human melanoma cell undergoing cell division. Credit: Paul J Smith and Rachel Errington, Wellcome Images

A cluster of breast cancer cells showing visual evidence of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in yellow. Credit: Annie Cavanagh, Wellcome Images

Led by Professor Mike Stratton, Dr Andy Futreal, Dr Peter Campbell and Dr Ultan McDermott, the Project is now based at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute where high-throughput mutation detection techniques are being used to identify somatically acquired sequence variants and mutations. Through this methodology the Project is identifying new cancer genes and gaining a better understanding of the processes of mutagenesis and the role of genome structure in determining abnormalities of cancer genomes.

The Project has shown that human cancers are highly complex: any one cancer contains many mutations, some directly involved in cancerous growth ('drivers'), others mere bystanders ('passengers'). Using 'next-generation' DNA-sequencing technologies, the Project team have been able to look at DNA rearrangements in cancer cells in unprecedented detail and piece together the evolutionary history of cancer.

The Cancer Genome Project team is now participating in an international consortium that has the aim to sequence 25 000 genomes of 50 cancers.

See also

• Institute of Cancer Research
• Professor Mike Stratton appointed director of the Sanger Institute

Key achievements

A selection of the key achievements of the Cancer Genome Project.

Making a difference

Drug development, personalised cancer treatment and resources for researchers.