LONDON — A decade ago, the U.K. launched its 100,000 Genomes Project, a major research endeavor that involved sequencing the DNA of that many people to discover how our genes shape our health.
But the initiative wasn’t just focused on sequencing our regular DNA. One arm of the project also entailed decoding the genomes of some participants’ tumors.
In a paper published Thursday morning in the U.K., researchers reported their findings from more than 13,800 solid tumors in adults, detailing that certain tumors were more likely to carry mutations that could inform patient care, whether by steering treatment choices or indicating a potential familial risk. The findings are already influencing clinical practice: It’s becoming standard for patients in the National Health Service with those tumors — including types of brain cancers, sarcomas, and ovarian cancers — to get their tumors sequenced.