Unique gene mutation found through the genome sequencing of Burkitt's Lymphoma

Scientists at Duke Medicine have sequenced the first complete genome of Burkitt's Lymphoma, along with 59 other cases of Burkitt's Lymphoma and 94 cases of diffuse B Lymphoma. With this new information, this team was able to uncover 70 mutations, among those mutations include several mutations that have not been previously associated with cancer and a new mutation that was exclusive to Burkitt's Lymphoma. In the 70 mutations discovered, one of the new mutations, ID3, according to Duke Health News, was found in 34% cases of Burkitt's Lymphoma but not found in cases of diffuse B Lymphoma.

The ID3 mutation slows down the cell growth of a gene, thus allowing cells to multiply. Uncontrolled cell division and tumor growth then occurs together with the MYC mutation also found in Burkitt's Lymphoma. From this discovery, researchers are now trying to find a gene similar to ID3 that can suppress tumor growth and be used as a new kind of treatment. There is still more research to be done but they are one step closer to slowing cell growth in cancer cells.