International Cancer Genome Consortium to sequence 25 000 cancer genomes
15 April 2010
This ambitious project is described in a paper published today in the journal 'Nature'. Written by over 200 researchers taking part in the ICGC, including researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the paper sets out the project's ethical framework, study design and policies.
Funded projects will examine 500 tumours for each of 50 different tumour types and subtypes of clinical and societal importance across the globe. These include blood, brain, breast, colon, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, stomach, oral cavity and ovary cancers. Consortium members have already completed studies generating datasets on breast, liver and pancreatic cancers.
"The International Cancer Genome Consortium initiative will profoundly alter our understanding of the development of human cancer, across the spectrum of tumour types," said Sir Paul Nurse, cancer scientist and 2001 Nobel Laureate for Physiology or Medicine.
"The worldwide, coordinated nature of the project and the plans for data release will facilitate efficient deployment of resources and ensure that all cancer researchers can use the information generated in a timely manner."
"The data released today can be used immediately by researchers who are working on better ways of preventing, detecting, diagnosing and treating cancer," said Eric S Lander, President and Director of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a member of ICGC.
"We are moving into an era where the prescription for cancer treatment should be based on the genetics of each patient's tumour."
The ICGC also announced several new members. New projects in Italy and the European Union will contribute to efforts already underway in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, the UK and the USA.
The International Cancer Genome Consortium is one of most ambitious biomedical research efforts since the Human Genome Project. The Consortium will help to coordinate current and future large-scale projects to understand the genomic changes involved in cancer. To maximise the public benefit from ICGC member research, data will be made rapidly available to qualified investigators. In addition, all Consortium participants will agree not to file any patent applications or make other intellectual property claims on primary data from ICGC projects.
The ICGC is supported by ten funding organisations from around the world, including the Wellcome Trust.
Image: Breast cancer cells - one dying. Credit: Dr David Becker, Wellcome Images
