Born With It: How Your DNA Shapes Cancer Before It Even Starts
A major new study has revealed that the genes we inherit at birth play a much larger role in cancer than previously thought—impacting not only how tumors form and evolve, but also how they respond to treatment.
Unlike most cancer research that focuses on mutations acquired during life, this study explored millions of inherited variants and their influence on protein activity in tumors. The findings could transform how we diagnose and treat cancer by factoring in each person’s unique genetic background—not just the tumor’s mutations. It’s a shift toward truly personalized, whole-body cancer care.
Inherited Genes and Cancer’s Hidden Influence
A new international study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), has revealed that the genes we inherit at birth, known as germline genetic variants, play a far more significant role in cancer than previously recognized.
Published today in the April 14 issue of Cell, the study is the first to show how millions of inherited genetic differences can influence the activity of thousands of proteins inside tumors. By analyzing data from over 1,000 patients across 10 types of cancer, the researchers found that a person’s inherited DNA can shape how their cancer develops and behaves.
