Scientists find new biomarker that predicts cancer aggressiveness

Researchers from Fred Hutch Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new biomarker that can accurately predict the prognosis of meningiomas and breast cancers.

The groundbreaking study reveals that the amount of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) on histone genes correlates with tumor aggressiveness and recurrence. Using a novel technique called CUTAC (Cleavage Under Targeted Accessible Chromatin), researchers can better study gene expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, offering advantages over traditional RNA sequencing methods.

Key findings include:

• Histone gene expression is significantly elevated in tumor samples compared to normal tissue
• RNAPII signals can distinguish cancer from normal samples
• The biomarker accurately predicts rapid recurrence in meningiomas
• It can predict chromosomal arm loss tendencies
• The marker indicates breast cancer aggressiveness

This discovery provides new tools for cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment, advancing precision oncology approaches. The research team plans to validate their findings across various cancer types using FFPE samples.

The study was published in Science and supported by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute.

For more information, please visit the original press release.