Hong Kong university reveals complete genetic sets of nasopharyngeal cancer
Chinese University findings may lead to development of new drugs for a more targeted approach in treating patients
Patients who have nasopharyngeal cancer, which starts behind the nose, could be given more effective treatment in the future after Chinese University researchers unveiled the complete genetic sets of a common cancer in Hong Kong.
The university, which analysed 111 tumour specimens, also found mutation of four specific sets of genes activated a group of proteins, named NF-kappaB, that promoted the growth of cancer cells in 40 per cent of the samples.
“NF-kappaB could be a new target. We could develop new drugs that specifically target this [group of proteins],” said the university’s clinical oncology professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung.
Nasopharyngeal cancer is commonly seen in Hong Kong and southern parts of China. In 2014, it ranked as the city’s 10th most common cancer, with 834 cases reported. But those with the disease do not suffer significant symptoms during the early stages, resulting in up to 70 per cent of cases being diagnosed only when it had progressed to an advance stage, making it hard to cure.
The study, which analysed cancer cell samples offered by 105 patients from 2015 to last year, discovered the cancer’s complete set of genetic materials by carrying out more specific testing on 15 samples.