Cancer is a genetic disease caused by genetic instability. Our program in cancer genetics includes a component that emphasizes high throughput refined karyotypic analysis and comprehensive cloning and characterization of all chromosomal aberrations found to be present in specific cancers or cancer cell lines. We have dubbed an aspect of this approach, comprehensive breakpoint cloning and are engaged in a """"""""proof-of-principle"""""""" of a high throughput cost-saving strategy for this work. Another major component involves the development of a patient pathway that emphasizes individualized risk screening, education, counseling, germline testing (for those who choose to be tested), followed by entry into protocols for prevention, surveillance, and targeted therapy. The two prototype cancers for which this program has been initiated are colorectal and breast cancer. The translational research component that supports this program includes molecular diagnostics, biomarkers of risk, genotype/phenotype correlations, and a new approach to anticancer drug screening. In addition, we are invested in initiatives by which we have linked the human physical genomic map with the cytogenetic map, and provided a database and clone repository that can be utilized by the biomedical community at large for cancer genome characterization. The clinical component of this project was tranferred to Dr. Sheila Prindiville in 2005 with the resignation of the Dr. Ilan Kirsch.
