AI Has Uncovered Cancer Drivers Hidden in “Junk” DNA

Researchers at the Garvan Institute have utilized artificial intelligence to identify potential cancer-causing elements within the ‘junk’ regions of DNA, paving the way for innovative methods in diagnosis and treatment.

According to a new study from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, non-coding DNA—which makes up 98% of our genome and does not contain instructions for making proteins—may hold the key to new cancer diagnostics and treatments. The findings, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, reveal mutations in previously overlooked regions of the genome that may contribute to the formation and progression of at least 12 different cancers, including prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer.

The discovery could lead to early diagnosis and new treatments effective for many cancer types.