Researchers from the Boston area, Mexico, and Norway have completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations. The study identified recurrent genetic mutations not previously found in cervical cancer, including at least one for which targeted treatments have been approved for other forms of cancer. The findings also shed light on the role human papillomavirus (HPV) plays in the development of cervical cancer. The study, which appeared online on December 25, 2013 in Nature, addresses a public health concern of global significance: cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and is responsible for approximately 10 percent of cancer deaths in women – particularly in developing countries where screening methods are not readily accessible. Almost all cases of the disease are caused by exposure to HPV and it is expected that vaccination efforts targeting HPV will decrease cervical cancer cases over time. In the meantime, however, the disease remains a significant threat to women's health. "Cancer is a disease that affects the whole world, and one question that always arises is: is a given cancer type similar or different across populations?" explained Dr. Matthew Meyerson, one of the paper's co-senior authors. Dr. Meyerson is a professor of pathology and medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a senior associate member of the Broad Institute.Login Or Register To Read Full Story