Decoding Cancer: 40 Years of Breakthroughs in Genetic Research

Cancer in children and adolescents is rare. Nevertheless, malignant diseases are still one of the most common causes of death in this age group. Survivors of childhood or adolescent cancer often suffer chronic health problems with increased morbidity and mortality rates. The most important known risk factor for childhood cancer is genetic predisposition to cancer. Certain disease-associated variants in a person’s genes increase the risk of developing cancer. ‘Understanding the causes of cancer in children and adolescents is essential in order to be able to treat cancer in this age group even better, detect it even earlier or even prevent it in future,’ explains Prof. Dr Christian Kratz, Director of the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at MHH.

Genetic architecture of cancers is complex

Malignant diseases in children and adolescents have a hereditary component that is characterised by a complex architecture in which common gene variants at several gene loci and rare disease-associated gene variants can be involved. Environmental factors such as viral infections can also play a role. The first of many now known cancer predisposition genes (CPGs) was identified 40 years ago, which lead to an increased risk of cancer in the case of hereditary disease-associated variants.

These hereditary diseases are referred to as cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS), such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Fanconi anaemia. Around ten per cent of all children and adolescents with cancer have KPS. There are also disease-causing gene variants that arise during embryonic development and can lead to cancer in the course of life. Those affected develop a mosaic disease in which both altered and healthy cells are present.

Outpatient clinic for cancer predisposition syndromes at the MHH Paediatric Clinic

The outpatient clinic at the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology advises and cares for several hundred people affected by KPS. Patients come to the MHH from all over Germany. The findings from research have a direct influence on medical action here. Patients are also given the opportunity to participate in early detection programmes and various studies.

Professor Kratz has recently summarised this complex topic in a review paper for the journal Nature Reviews Cancer. The journal publishes research findings, reviews and commentaries on cancer research and is regarded as a leading source for the scientific community. Professor Kratz’s team is supported by the German Childhood Cancer Foundation, Cancer Aid, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Verein für krebskranke Kinder Hannover e.V. (Hanover Association for Children with Cancer).

Original publication
Christian P. Kratz
Journal: Nature Reviews Cancer
Article Title: Re-envisioning genetic predisposition to childhood and adolescent cancers
Article Publication Date: 03 December 2024
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-024-00775-7

Contact for scientific information
Professor Dr Christian Kratz
Email: Kratz.Christian@mh-hannover.de
Phone: 0511 532-6712

Article Source: (IDW) – https://idw-online.de/en/news845221