Washington University School of Medicine researchers are focused on sequencing cancer patients’ genomes as a diagnostic tool.

The research results are expected to improve medical treatments and continuous research studies, helping doctors to decide on the most effective treatment for patients.

The studies feature researchers’ expertise in sequencing cancer patients’ genomes.

“We are the pioneers in the field,” said Richard Wilson, the director of the University’s Genome Institute.

Two studies conducted by the researchers were published on the “Journal of the American Medical Association” on April 20.

In the first study, the medical school sequenced the genome of a female patient with acute myeloid leukemia. Researchers attempted to find the mutation responsible for her leukemia and respond to her doctor as soon as possible to facilitate treatment decisions.

“We completed the sequencing and analysis in six weeks, and this altered the patient’s treatment. Rather than a stem cell transplant, she received a targeted chemotherapy regimen and is now in remission,” Wilson said.

Researchers in the second study successfully identified a novel mutation in the TP53 gene of a patient who died at the age of 42. According to Wilson, mutations in that gene are known to substantially increase cancer risk.

The researcher encountered the same problem in both cases.

“The major challenge is interpreting the data,” Wilson said.

Because each sample of DNA is sequenced about 30 times to ensure its accuracy, and the genome is six billion letters long, data interpretation is a considerable task.

“Both studies demonstrate the power of sequencing cancer patients’ genomes as a diagnostic tool and are some of the first examples of what will likely be more common in the future,” said Caroline Arbanas, the University’s director of medical research news.

The studies cost $2,000—$4,000 for each genome and lasted for six weeks.