DNA and Cancer: Insights from Genomic Research

April 25^th marks DNA Day, a commemoration of landmark publications on the structure of DNA and celebration of achievements in genetics research. Advances in DNA research and genomics have revolutionized our understanding of cancer, leading to significant improvements in cancer detection, monitoring, and treatment. At the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI), our researchers are at the forefront of cancer genome biology.

DNA and Cancer: A Blueprint of Life and Disease

DNA carries instructions for building the proteins that make up every cell in the human body. Mutations—changes or errors in DNA—can alter these instructions, sometimes leading to cancer. Advances in technology now allow scientists to read DNA sequences and understand how changes, such as deletions or substitutions, impact gene function.

Cancer-related genes fall into two main categories: oncogenes and tumor suppressors. When mutated, oncogenes produce overactive proteins that drive uncontrolled cell growth. Some of these proteins can be targeted with drugs to selectively treat cancer. In contrast, tumor suppressor genes help regulate cell growth, but mutations can inactivate them, removing their protective function and contributing to cancer development.

Expanding Cancer Treatment Options by Targeting the Untargetable

Unfortunately, certain oncogenes and missing tumor suppressor proteins remain undruggable. At the GCI, Prof. Sidong Huang and his team are addressing this challenge using complementary functional genomics and biochemical approaches. By systematically analyzing every gene in the genome, they are identifying alternative druggable vulnerabilities in cancer cells. This research is expanding the repertoire of targeted therapies—treatments that selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, thereby reducing side effects.

The Role of 3D DNA Organization in Cancer

Beyond sequencing, recent discoveries highlight the importance of 3D DNA organization in both healthy and cancerous cells. At the GCI, Prof. Josée Dostie leads research into how cells control the spatial arrangement of DNA and how this influences gene activity. Her team has identified certain RNAs—regulatory molecules—that cancer cells hijack to reorganize DNA. This rearrangement alters the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, driving cancer even in the absence of mutations. These findings reveal promising new therapeutic targets.

Beyond the DNA Sequence: Epigenetic Changes in Cancer

GCI researcher, Prof. Xiang-Jiao Yang, focuses on epigenetics – molecular modifications that alter DNA organization and gene activity without changing the genetic sequence. His group studies the proteins responsible for these modifications and their roles in stem cell programming, brain development, and cancer. This knowledge has the potential to advance regenerative medicine and inform new cancer treatment strategies.

Advancing Cancer Research

Through cutting-edge research, scientists at the GCI continue to make groundbreaking discoveries that deepen our understanding of cancer and pave the way for new therapeutic approaches. By leveraging advanced technologies to investigate the structure of the cancer genome and complex genetic interactions, our researchers are pursuing the #knowledgetocure.