The list of cancer genes is bigger than previously believed, according to a new study led by the Broad Institute and published in Nature. After examining the genomes of patients’ tumors, researchers have increased the list of known cancer genes by 25%, adding genes that play roles in immune evasion and cell death. “That’s tremendously exciting, because the knowledge of genes and their pathways will highlight new, potential drug targets and help lead the way to effective combination therapy,” said Broad Institute founding director Eric Lander.
