Largest-ever study of thyroid cancer genetics finds new mutations, suggests immunotherapy

University of Colorado Cancer Center researchers recently completed the largest-ever study of thyroid cancer genetics, mining the data of 583 patient samples of advanced differentiated thyroid cancer and 196 anaplastic thyroid cancers. In addition to identification of specific genes that may drive these cancers and thus provide attractive targets for treatment, the researchers found that in several samples of advanced […]

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How environmental pollutants and genetics work together in rheumatoid arthritis

It has been known for more than three decades that individuals with a particular version of a gene—human leukocyte antigen (HLA)—have an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis. Meanwhile, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking. In smokers who develop rheumatoid arthritis, the disease hits harder. […]

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Exercise could outsmart genetics when it comes to heart disease

Exercise, especially cardio fitness, could outweigh genetics when it comes to heart disease, according to new research. The study, published Monday in the journal Circulation, showed strength and cardiorespiratory fitness lowered the risk for heart disease across the board – whether people were categorized with low, intermediate or high genetic risk. “Genes don’t have to determine destiny,” said Dr. Erik […]

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