The combined expression of three specific genes in lung cancer tumors may predict both cancer growth and a poorer prognosis, according to a study led by researchers in the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"Previous work had shown that three genes -- TTF-1, NKX2-8 and PAX9 -- were amplified in early stage lung cancer tumors," said David Hsu, MD, a medical oncologist at Duke and lead investigator on this study.
"Our study showed that these genes actually work together to provide an environment conductive to the growth and proliferation of cancer cells." The researchers published their findings in the March 9, 2009 online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study was funded by the Emilene Brown Cancer Research Fund, the Jimmy V Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Joan's Legacy Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
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