What are Vogelstein’s Major Contributions to Cancer Research?
Vogelstein has made several key contributions to cancer research, particularly in the areas of genetic mutations and tumor suppressor genes. One of his most notable achievements is the discovery of the role of p53, a crucial tumor suppressor gene, in cancer. His research demonstrated that mutations in p53 are present in about half of all human cancers, making it one of the most commonly mutated genes in cancer. Additionally, Vogelstein was instrumental in elucidating the multi-step process of cancer development. He proposed the concept that cancer is caused by the accumulation of multiple genetic mutations over time, leading to the transformation of normal cells into malignant ones.
