The research team, led by David Sidransky, M.D., professor of otolaryngology and oncology, uses mitochondrial DNA to identify genetic mutations in bladder, head and neck and lung cancers.
Mitochondria are specialized parts of cells largely responsible for generating energy.
Multiple copies exist in all cells, and they contain the only DNA located outside of the cell nucleus. The Hopkins team first identified mitochondrial mutations linked to bladder, head and neck and lung cancers. Then, they studied paired urine, saliva, and lavage samples from twenty patients with these cancers in search of similar mitochondrial mutations that could be used in diagnostic tests. The mitochondrial mutations observed in the bodily fluids were identical to those obtained in the primary tumors. Finding mitochondrial mutations is much easier.