The study on the detection and functional characterization of selected gene mutations in Filipino colorectal cancer has been completed recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced on July 9.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. De la Peña cited the report of DOST- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) baring the completion of the program that “looked at mutations in selected genes of 90 Filipino colorectal cancer patients.
(Pixabay/ Manila Bulletin)
“The research program aimed to do mutational screening of selected genes in colorectal cancer patients and conduct functional analysis on novel mutations identified through the program. The results will provide clinically relevant biomarkers that can be translated to commercial test kits for predicting drug response to anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) therapy,” De la Peña announced on the DOSTv Facebook page on Friday.
He said a total of 90 Filipino colorectal cancer patients were involved in the program on “Detection and Functional Characterization of KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, BRAF, and PTEN gene mutations in Filipino Colorectal Cancer Patients.”
It was the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) and National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB)-University of the Philippines Diliman (UPLB) that completed the study.
Results
"The program looked at mutations in selected genes of 90 Filipino colorectal cancer patients. Results showed the existence of ethnicity-specific nuances in the mutational landscape of colorectal cancer patients, strengthening the need to look at specific treatment strategies depending on the type of mutations seen in a patient,” the DOST chief said.
He reported that 14 promising novel and unstudied mutations have undergone functional assays and were identified to be related to disease risk and development of colorectal cancer among Filipinos.
“Results from the program are seen to pave the way towards the development of diagnostic tests that can predict drug response/ efficacy prior to actual treatment,” he said.
“Furthermore, data from the program can potentially be valuable in developing new therapeutic technologies specifically for Filipino colorectal cancer patients,” he added.