The Hindu Business Line : Cancer Genome Atlas soon to detect disease

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Tenali (AP) March 5 A Cancer Genome Atlas, which is close to completion, is all set to give a close peep into cancer cells and a better understanding of the deadly disease, according to a global expert on cancer, Dr Nori Dattatreyudu.

The global initiative, led by the National institute of Health, National Cancer Institute and a host of US and world organisations and countries has a funding of over $250 million for three years. It will characterise over 200 cancers, using molecular fingerprint and provide insight into the genetic basis, said Dr Dattatreyudu, in his Dr Y. Nayudamma Memorial Lecture, here.

The project expected to close in 2008, will help scientists develop more molecular drugs and detect cancer far earlier than the CT and CAT scans do at present. After, the Human Genome Map, gave scientists a good look into the genetic make-up of the human being, this project is being perceived as another major milestone, he told a large gathering in this coastal town.

"This is not science fiction. It will be real soon. You will be able to get a simple blood test done to find your risk factors and genetic predisposition or the type of cancer you have," said Dr Nori, an Indian origin Oncologist, and Professor and Chairman, Radiation Oncology Department, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City.

The march of science in the conquering of cancer has reached an exciting phase and it is hopeful that in a decade cancer would be brought down to a manageable health problem like diabetes, he said.

At present, a sound knowledge of the mechanism of cancer formation had led to development of treatment methods that can help victims of breast cancer, a type of Leukemia (CML), lung cancer, head and neck cancers relieving their agony to a great extent, Dr Nori, who is closely associated with the setting up and growth of the Hyderabad-based, Indo-American Cancer Centre said.

Vaccine

Raising the hopes of cancer patients across the developing nations, Dr Nori said vaccines are now available to prevent certain cancers. For example, the hepatitis B vaccine, the vaccine against human papilloma virus, which causes cervical cancer among women and in a year a vaccine against the H. Pylori bacteria which causes stomach cancer will be released.

Dr Nori said in the fight against cancers, a World Cancer Programme has been launched on February 4, 2007 by the Geneva-based, UICC and the National Cancer Institute of US along with many global organisation to spread awareness and prevention strategies in several countries.

Earlier, the former Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, Ms V.S. Rama Devi, conferred the 15th Dr Y. Nayudamma Award on Dr Nori, who incidentally hails from the neighbouring Krishna District. Dr P. Vishnumurthy, Managing Trustee of the Dr Nayudamma Trust, read a citation and gave a brief background of the award.

In her remarks, Ms Rama Devi said 60 years ago TB was a deadly disease, which has been tamed. Now AIDS is rampant, but the causes are clearly known, but in the case of cancer, the direct causes are still baffling scientists. People, need reassuring messages from specialists, in view of the rapid developments, she added.

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