A census of human cancer genes

Abstract

We have conducted a census from the literature of genes that are mutated and causally implicated in cancer development ('cancer genes'). So far, 291 cancer genes have been reported, more than 1% of all the genes in the human genome. 90% of cancer genes show somatic mutations in cancer, 20% show germline mutations and 10% show both. The most common mutation class among the known cancer genes is a chromosomal translocation that creates a chimeric gene or apposes a gene to the regulatory elements of another gene. Many more cancer genes have been found in leukaemias, lymphomas and sarcomas than in other types of cancer, despite the fact that they represent only 10% of human cancer. These genes are usually altered by chromosomal translocation. The most common domain that is encoded by cancer genes is the protein kinase. Several domains that are involved in DNA binding and transcriptional regulation are common in proteins that are encoded by cancer genes.