Gene Cancer Link Reported

A genetic abnormality that appears to play a role in many common cancers has been solidly linked to lung cancer, raising hopes of improved diagnosis and treatment, scientists say. Researchers examining lung cancer tumors discovered a series of abnormalities in the so-called p53 anti-cancer gene, according to a report by Dr. John Minna of the National Cancer Institute-Navy Medical Oncology Branch in Bethesda, Md.

Defects in the gene have also been linked to colon cancer, an uncommon bone cancer called osteogenic sarcoma and chronic myelogenous leukemia, Minna said.

“Obviously, everybody is going to be looking for it in everything else,” Minna said.

Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who identified p53 abnormalities in colon cancer, said, “From what I’ve heard of Dr. Minna’s work, it seems quite clear that the p53 gene will play an important role in lung tumors.

“Current evidence suggests that p53 is likely to play a role in many common cancers,” including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and bladder cancer, he said.