Advances in understanding cancer genomes through second-generation sequencing

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Abstract
Analyses of cancer genome sequences and structures provide insights for understanding cancer biology, diagnosis and therapy. The application of second-generation DNA sequencing technologies (also known as next-generation sequencing) is allowing substantial advances in cancer genomics. In recent years, it has become feasible to sequence the expressed genes ('transcriptomes'), known exons ('exomes'), and complete genomes of cancer samples. There are particular challenges for the detection and diagnosis of cancer genome alterations. For example, some cancer genome alterations are prevalent at low frequency in clinical samples, often owing to substantial admixture with non-malignant cells. The large quantity of data from second-generation sequencing provides statistical and computational challenges. An impetus for studies of somatic genome alterations is the potential for therapies targeted against the products of these alterations.