Scientists at the BC Cancer Agency and Simon Fraser University have uncovered information that could help oncologists prevent non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

A team of 50 BCCA scientists discovered 109 genes with recurring mutations while sequencing the whole genomes of more than 100 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumors. They identified 26 of the repeatedly mutated genes as contributors to non-Hodgkin lymphoma based on their mutation patterns. Prior to this study, no one knew that more than two-thirds of the newly identified mutated genes were linked to lymphoma.

Oncologists hope the newly discovered genetic information will advance clinical and research collaboration on preventing the growth of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The journal Nature has published the study online at www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature10351.html [9].