Is There a Link Between Ovarian and Testicular Cancer?
The mutated gene connection is confirmed, so next is finding out how
Gregg Morin, a researcher involved in the study, and fellow colleagues sequenced the genes from rare types of ovarian, testicular, and uterine tumors. They found DICER genetic mutations in over one-third of all the tumors. DICER assists in the production of the small pieces of genetic material, known as microRNAs, which are responsible for switching the cells in the body on and off. However, when DICER and microRNA interact in an abnormal way, the outcome is chaotic. The next phase of the study is to identify how exactly DICER genetic mutations lead to the onset of cancer.