Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
Genomic Health's Colon Cancer Dx Meets Prognostic, Not Predictive, Endpoint; Will Debut in 2010
The assay, based on the Oncotype DX platform, met the primary endpoint for determining the likelihood of post-operative disease recurrence in patients with stage II colon cancer, but did not meet the endpoint for the ability to predict benefit from post-operative 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin treatment.
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