Cancer of the ampulla of Vater: analysis of the whole genome sequence exposes a potential therapeutic vulnerability.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent advances in the treatment of cancer have focused on targeting genomic aberrations with selective therapeutic agents. In rare tumors, where large-scale clinical trials are daunting, this targeted genomic approach offers a new perspective and hope for improved treatments. Cancers of the ampulla of Vater are rare tumors that comprise only about 0.2% of gastrointestinal cancers. Consequently, they are often treated as either distal common bile duct or pancreatic cancers.

Methods

We analyzed DNA from a resected cancer of the ampulla of Vater and whole blood DNA from a 63 year-old man who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy by whole genome sequencing, achieving 37× and 40× coverage, respectively. We determined somatic mutations and structural alterations.

Resu

SUBMITTER: Demeure MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3580412 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature