A new study found that more than two-thirds of cancer-causing mutations are the result of random DNA-copying mistakes when normal cells divide. Moreover, the proportion of mutations due to random copying errors varies depending on the cancer, the researchers said. Random DNA-replication mistakes account for about 77 percent of critical mutations in pancreatic cancer, and virtually all childhood cancer, they said. But each time DNA is copied, the scientists said, an average of three random mistakes will occur. The new research builds on a 2015 study that highlighted the role of “bad luck” — random DNA errors — in developing cancer.

Source: Washington Post March 23, 2017 18:03 UTC