- Scientists found first direct evidence that inherited genetics influence cancer risk by interacting with acquired mutations to shape tumor evolution.
- The study, published in Nature, used four mouse strains with genetic diversity comparable to humans, exposed to the same carcinogen under controlled conditions to eliminate environmental variation.
- While all cancers activated the MAPK pathway, the specific driver mutations and subsequent evolution depended on the mouse's genetic background, including whole-genome duplication.
- Findings imply future cancer prevention and screening should account for inherited genetics and population diversity, and treatments may need personalization based on genetic background.
- The research was largely funded by Cancer Research UK and involved international collaboration; it suggests genetic background determines the path to cancer, not just chance.