St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project
In January 2010, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, announced an unprecedented effort to identify the genetic changes that give rise to some of the world's deadliest childhood cancers. The team joined forces to decode the genomes of more than 600 childhood cancer patients. The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project is the largest investment to date aimed at understanding the genetic origins of childhood cancers. Scientists involved in the project are sequencing the entire genomes of both normal and cancer cells from each patient, comparing differences in the DNA to identify genetic mistakes that lead to cancer.
Latest News
Cancer sequencing initiative discovers mutations tied to aggressive childhood brain tumors
Nature
January 29, 2012
Findings from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) offer important insight into a poorly understood tumor that kills more than 90 percent of patients within two years. The tumor, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), is found almost exclusively in children and accounts for 10 to 15 percent of pediatric tumors of the brain and central nervous system.
Cancer sequencing project identifies potential approaches to combat aggressive leukemia
Nature
January 11, 2012
Researchers with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) have discovered that a subtype of leukemia characterized by a poor prognosis is fueled by mutations in pathways distinctly different from a seemingly similar leukemia associated with a much better outcome. The work provides the first details of the genetic alterations fueling a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) known as early T-cell precursor ALL (ETP-ALL). The results suggest ETP-ALL has more in common with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than with other subtypes of ALL.
Gene identified as a new target for treatment of aggressive childhood eye tumor
Nature
January 11, 2012
New findings from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) have helped identify the mechanism that makes the childhood eye tumor retinoblastoma so aggressive. The discovery explains why the tumor develops so rapidly while other cancers can take years or even decades to form. The finding also led investigators to a new treatment target and possible therapy for the rare childhood tumor of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital launches data website for genome project
January 11, 2012
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has launched a freely available website for published research results from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP). Titled "Explore," the website is designed to expand access to high-quality genomic data related to pediatric cancers, accelerate discovery and hypothesis testing, and provide comprehensive visualizations of the data. Explore is also designed to make it easier for clinical and basic researchers to search published results from the PCGP.
Researchers improve method for finding genetic mistakes that fuel cancer
Nature Methods
June 13, 2011
A new computational method known as CREST, short for Clipping Reveals Structure, has been developed to find the genetic missteps that fuel cancer. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project investigators are using the new algorithm to identify the chromosomal rearrangements and DNA insertions or deletions unique to cancer.
Other researchers interested in using CREST can visit http://www.stjuderesearch.org/site/lab/zhang to download the computer algorithm and supporting data.
Pediatric Cancer Genome Project Launches
January 25, 2010
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis announced the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
