Scientists identify additional cancer blocking genes on chromosome 21

“It’s incredibly inspiring to know that by studying the genetic make-up of people with Down’s Syndrome we have been able to make important discoveries that help us understand far more about the intricate processes involved in cancer tumour growth.”

So states Professor Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke, from Queen Mary, University of London, commenting on her recently published research which has identified two additional genes on chromosome 21 that in triplicate boosted protection against cancer development in studies with mice.
This study, which was published in Nature, adds to the growing understanding of why development of hard tumors in persons with Down syndrome is so rare.