A team of U.S. researchers claimed it found new genetic mutations involved in glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at the Johns Hopkins University looked at over 20,000 genes in tumors from 24 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and 22 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme.

The typical pancreatic cancer was found to have 63 genetic changes and the regular brain tumor 60.  Nevertheless, all the tumors were different.

According to Dr. Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, “if you have 100 patients, you have 100 different diseases."  

In a study, five genetic mutations already spotted in brain tumors have been confirmed. Besides, there have been found three new ones, which are said to occur repeatedly. Moreover, the researchers followed the disorders in cellular function that the mutations caused, issues with cell division, cell growth, and repair of DNA damage counting among them.

Researchers said their findings might lead to earlier detection of tumors by means of genetic blood tests and new drugs that combat cancer. Moreover, the discoveries are clues which could make possible improved methods for interrupting the genetic processes that trigger the expansion of tumors, the Baltimore Sun reported.

In line with the statement of Dr. Alan E. Guttmacher, acting director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, "this represents another major step towards our major ultimate goal of using information about the human genome to improve human health."