QF cancer genetic study paves way for precision prevention programme

A new study by Qatar Foundation (QF) researchers from the Qatar Genome Research Consortium and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has reported the first landscape of cancer germline variation – known as inherited cancer – in the Middle East.The study, led by the WCM-Q’s Dr Lotfi Chouchane, has been published online in the 'Lancet Oncology' – a prestigious leading peer-reviewed medical journal published by the 'Lancet', and is titled 'Genetic predisposition to cancer across people of different ancestries in Qatar: a population-based, cohort study'.The study provides in-depth screening of both common and rare cancer genetic markers in Qataris.The risk of developing cancer varies according to ancestry.The Middle East countries, including Qatar, are experiencing an alarming increase in cancer patients.Numerous disease-associated genetic markers, including of cancer, display substantial diversity among different populations.However, the difference in the risk of cancer between those who have inherited cancer, passed down from generation to generation, are not well defined in the Arab population.The present study is shedding light on the cancer genetic markers found in Middle Eastern populations to help understand the development or progression of cancer, and is highlighting the high degree of diversity of susceptibility to cancer across ancestries observed in the Qatari population, the QF has said in a press statement.These findings should be considered for the implementation of national cancer preventive medicine programmes.Dr Chouchane, lead principal investigator of the study and professor of Genetic Medicine, professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Qatar Foundation partner university WCM-Q, said: “Incorporation of precision medicine technology, including cancer screening and genome sequencing, into the primary care system in Qatar has significant potential.”“The results of our study comprise a valuable source to capture cancer genetic markers in the different ancestries of the Arab populations and define quantitative and qualitative expectations for the results of personal genome sequencing,” he said. “With screening, prevention and early detection at the forefront of the cancer agenda in Qatar, we propose to leverage the population genome sequencing by initiating national population testing programs to identify highly penetrant cancer gene mutation carriers like individuals being at an increased risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancers,” Dr Chouchane added. “Our study is paving way to deliver a precision cancer prevention programme in Qatar.” “We are determined at Qatar Genome along with our partners to spearhead the transition from bench to bedside, and this array is the starting point to provide a personalised screening for health and disease in Qatar and the region," said Dr Said Ismail, director of Qatar Genome Programme, a member of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation.Michael Pellini, MD, a former president and chief executive officer of Foundation Medicine Inc, a leading company in the Precision Oncology field, and currently a managing partner of Section 32, LLC, a venture capital firm focused on investing at the intersection of technology and healthcare, said: “This paper gives great insights into how we could/should be thinking about cancer screening/risk in the future.”“If we can better understand a person's, or even a subpopulation's, germline risk, we could tailor screening protocols rather than treating everyone the same,” he said. “It will save resources and expenses, and result in much better, more personalised, care."“The study – part of the Qatar Genome Programme Research Consortium and among several other ongoing projects focusing on diseases of national priority – also aims to fill gap of the underrepresented Arab ancestry in genomic research and contribute to increase diversity and equity, a key to advance science globally,” said Hamdi Mbarek, Research Partnerships manager at Qatar Genome Programme.