British scientists have reported to identify faults in DNA that can assist doctors to develop therapies for thousands of patients afflicted from bowel cancer. The research is a new step to flag up small groups of genetically similar cancer patients who can benefit from specific treatments.

Professor Roland Wolf, director of the Cancer Research UK Molecular Pharmacology Unit at the University of Dundee, said, "Studies such as this clearly show us the importance of identifying faults in particular molecular pathways associated with drug response and tailoring drug therapy accordingly".

Cancer Research UK scientists from the University of Dundee initiated a genetic analysis of 106 bowel cancer tumor samples as a part of the study, seeking faults in a vital gene called K-Ras.

The information about the K-Ras gene for a patient is necessary as only those without the defect stand to grab advantage from two new "antibody" cancer drugs. In fact the drugs, cetuximab and panitumumab, might even harm patients with defective K-Ras.

Scientists today report a 33% of bowel cancer patients to have a K-Ras defect - around 12,375 people in total. Patients who fall within this category should not be given the new drugs.

The Liberal Democrat politician has lent support to Cancer Research UK's Beating Bowel Cancer campaign.