6/6/2014

Post date: Jun 11, 2014 4:43:46 PM

Speaker: Cristian Tomasetti, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, SKCCC, JHU

Topic: On the number of driver gene mutations required for the development of human cancers

Abstract: Cancer arises through the sequential accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. But how many such mutations are required for a normal human cell to progress to an advanced cancer? The best estimates for this number have been provided by mathematical models based on exponential age vs. incidence curves. For example, the classic studies of Bauer, Nordling, and Armitage and Doll suggest that six or seven sequential mutations are required. In the current study, we describe a different approach to derive this estimate that combines conventional epidemiologic studies with genome-wide sequencing data. Our results should facilitate the design of future cancer genome sequencing efforts and deepen our understanding of the process.