How BRACAnalysis Tests for Breast C... Oct 1, 2009
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes encode proteins that can lead to breast cancer in women ... The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are indicated in the development of breast cancer ... People who have breast cancer in family members who developed the disease early in life are even more susceptible to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation development. (Suite101.com)
More Mastectomies Done for Healthy Breasts Oct 1, 2009
Part of the reason: the much wider availability and awareness of genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, she tells WebMD. These gene mutations are associated with an 85 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and a much higher chance of tumors appearing in both breasts, according to the. Greater social acceptance of double mastectomies and improved cosmetic surgery techniques are additional reasons for the growing numbers, says Simmons. (CBS News -- Health)
New drug 'can treat more cancers' Sep 16, 2009
PARP inhibitors have already produced impressive results when tested on patients with advanced breast, ovarian and prostate cancer caused by defects in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In a recent clinical trial more than half of the patients' tumours shrank or stabilised, despite the fact that they had not responded well to standard therapies. (BBC News -- Health)
Individual Genetic Data Illuminates How Genes Influence Human Health Sep 16, 2009
The authors admit that genetic research is progressing, and they cite the example of the discovery of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and their role in breast cancer. However, the authors caution that, while there is no question these genes are involved in breast cancer, the underlying mechanisms behind the genetic risk are still being worked out. (Science Daily)
Medications That Lower Breast Cancer Risk Carry Other Dangers Sep 16, 2009
The women may be termed high risk due to genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, a strong family history, both, or other factors. Some choose to take the drugs to reduce risk. (MEDLINEplus)
Replication At DNA Damage Sites Highlights Fanconi Anemia And Breast Cancer Proteins Sep 12, 2009
Three of the FA genes recently were found to be identical to breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA2, BACH1 and PALB2. "This led us to begin to examine breast cancer genes, since we thought they might have something to do with the repair of DNA crosslinkers," Li said. (Science Daily)
Breast Cancer: Risk Increases For Smokers And Overweight Women Sep 5, 2009
What makes this study unique is how test subjects were not diagnosed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which predispose women to breast cancer ... "To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on a sample of women without BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which are often found in French-Canadian women," says lead researcher Vishnee Bissonauth, a graduate of the Universit; de Montr;al's Department of Nutrition and a researcher at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center ...... (Science Daily)
Smoking, obesity up breast cancer risk Sep 2, 2009
Published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, the study is unique because it did not include subjects who were diagnosed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which predispose women to breast cancer ... "To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted on a sample of women without BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which are often found in French-Canadian women," said lead researcher Vishnee Bissonauth, a graduate of the Universite de Montreal's Department of Nutrition, and a researcher at the... (India Times, India)
Somerset Hospital plans cancer benefit (761) Aug 29, 2009
Somerset Hospital plans cancer benefit - Somerset - Daily American. I am a cancer survivor, she said. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
Many Opt For Surgery to Lower Breast, Ovarian Cancer Risk Aug 11, 2009
Their study included 211 women, aged 35 to 45, with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which are known to increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer ... Forty percent of women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations had both breasts removed and 45 percent had both ovaries removed ... When looked at separately, 52 percent of BRCA1 gene mutation carriers had both ovaries removed, compared with 28 percent of BRCA2 gene mutation carriers, the researchers found. (MEDLINEplus)
Breastfeeding 'cuts breast cancer risk' Aug 11, 2009
Women who carry the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are known to have an increased lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Australia's Dr Judy Kirk, a spokeswoman for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, said childbirth was known to offer a protective effect against breast cancer for these women. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Fears that patents could restrict use of life-saving measures Aug 6, 2009
The inquiry follows the decision last year of Genetic Technologies, in Melbourne, to enforce its exclusive right to perform commercial DNA testing of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations linked to breast and ovarian cancer. All other laboratories were ordered to stop performing the test, and although the demand was legal under the current framework, the company later backed down. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Women often opt to surgically remove their breasts, ovaries to reduce cancer risk Aug 6, 2009
Rate of increase was measured among 211 women with known unaffected BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are hereditary gene mutations that indicate an increased risk for developing breast cancer ... These surgeries are widely used by carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations to reduce the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. (EurekAlert!)
Stem Cell 'Daughters' Lead To Breast Cancer Aug 5, 2009
4, 2009) Walter and Eliza Hall Institute scientists have found that a population of breast cells called luminal progenitor cells are likely to be responsible for breast cancers that develop in women carrying mutations in the gene BRCA1. BRCA1 gene mutations are found in 10-20 per cent of women with hereditary breast cancer. (Science Daily)
Flawed gene link to ovary cancer Aug 3, 2009
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which cause breast cancer are already known to significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer - but faults in these genes are rare and probably cause fewer than 5% of cases so scientists have been looking for other genetic faults which could help explain inherited risk. Genuine hope. (BBC News)
Radiation Dose, Cancer Risk From Coronary Artery Calcium Screening Estimated Jul 17, 2009
28, 2009) The risk of radiation-induced breast cancer may outweigh the benefits of mammography in women under the age of 30 who carry a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2, according to a mathematical modeling. (Dec. (Science Daily)
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor in BRCA-Related Cancer Jul 9, 2009
Background The inhibition of poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP] ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a potential synthetic lethal therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancers with specific DNA-repair defects, including those arising in carriers of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation ... Selection was aimed at having a study population enriched in carriers of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation ... Results We enrolled and treated 60 patients; 22 were carriers of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and 1 had a strong family history... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Cancer gene test 'for all women' Jul 7, 2009
The best known of these are faults in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but there are several others. Researchers say that it is becoming feasible to work out whether a woman is at "low", "moderate" or "high" risk of cancer by looking at which combinations of these she has. (BBC News -- Health)
Did Evolution Make Us Cancer Prone? Jul 4, 2009
29, 2007) Men with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at greater risk of breast cancer than the general population. Male breast cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of all breast cancers in the U.S.. (Science Daily)
New Cancer Drug Fights Tumors in Those with BRCA Mutations Jun 26, 2009
Women who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are susceptible to developing breast and ovarian cancer, and among men these mutations are related to an increased risk for prostate cancer, the British researchers noted ... In a phase 1 trial, led by Dr. Johann S. de Bono, from the Institute of Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in Sutton, U.K., the scientists treated 60 men and women who were carriers of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, or had a family history of BRCA-related... (MEDLINEplus)
New cancer drug 'shows promise' Jun 25, 2009
Olaparib was given to 19 patients with inherited forms of advanced breast, ovarian and prostate cancers caused by mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes ... " Olaparib is the first successful example of a new type of personalised medicine using a technique called "synthetic lethality" - a subtle way of exploiting the body's own molecular weaknesses for positive effect. In this case the drug takes advantage of the fact that while normal cells have several different ways of repairing damage to... (BBC News)
Bazell: 'PARP inhibitors' result of long journey Jun 25, 2009
BRCA1, BRCA2 raise risk for breast cancerIn September 1994, scientists from a company called Myriad Genetics and government researchers simultaneously won the race. It turned out there were two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 ... What initially eluded the scientists was how BRCA1 and BRCA2 caused cancer. (MSNBC -- Health)
New therapies: Breast, lymph cancer Jun 1, 2009
The second clinical study involved 54 women suffering from advanced breast cancer linked to the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2. They were treated with the PARP blocker Olaparib made by the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical AstraZenica. (India Times, India)
Genetic testing for breast or ovarian cancer risk may be greatly underutilized May 22, 2009
But women with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may be 3 to 7 times more likely to develop breast cancer and 9 to 30 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women with unaltered forms of the genes. Several organizations have issued clinical guidelines designating who should be screened for BRCA1/2 mutations, and while there have been discrepancies among the guidelines, all of them include a history of breast or ovarian cancer in close relatives among the criteria indicating... (EurekAlert!)
Lawsuit Looks to 'Take Down' Patents on Human Genes May 15, 2009
"They have gone around and shut down researchers who are doing BRCA1 and BRCA2 research and providing clinical services," Ravicher says. "That includes universities like the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. They send cease and desist letters, and threaten to sue people.". (Law.com)
Lawsuit filed over gene patents May 14, 2009
and the research foundation hold patents on the pair of genes -- known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 -- that are responsible for many cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers ... " More than 192,000 U.S. women get diagnoses each year, and about 5 to 10 percent of those cases are a hereditary form of the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 -- short for breast cancer 1 and breast cancer 2 -- are involved in many cases of hereditary breast and ovarian... (CNN -- Health)
Association for Molecular Pathology joins ACLU to challenge gene patents May 14, 2009
Suit charges that Myriad Genetics BRCA1 and BRCA2 patents interfere with the free flow of information and knowledge in violation of the First Amendment and that human genes are 'products of nature' that cannot be patented ... Individuals with certain mutations along these two genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at a significantly higher risk for developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Can Corporations Own Your DNA? May 14, 2009
It was able to patent the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 - the genes most often linked to breast and ovarian cancer. And owning the patent essentially means that Myriad owns the genes themselves. (CBS News)
Dogene patents spur or stifle science? May 14, 2009
Myriad built its business plan around controlling all medical testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene sequences. It applied for a U.S. patent back in 1994 on the BRCA1 gene sequence and later for patent protection on both genetic messages in Europe and other nations. (MSNBC -- Health)
DNA suit pits patients against patents May 14, 2009
Dr. Chung and others involved with the suit do not accuse Myriad of being a poor steward of the information concerning the two genes at issue in the suit, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, but they argue that BRCA testing would improve if market forces were allowed to work. Harry Ostrer, director of the human genetics program at the New York University School of Medicine and a plaintiff in the case, said that many laboratories could perform the BRCA tests faster than Myriad, and for less money than the... (MSNBC -- Health)
How human genes become patented May 14, 2009
Many cases of hereditary breast cancer, are linked with the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are patented ... The targets of the lawsuit, Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation, hold patents to BRCA1 and BRCA2, the genes responsible for many cases of hereditary and ovarian cancers ... The lawsuit asserts that the patents prevent some people from accessing medical screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2. (CNN -- Health)
* Cancer patients, pathologists join forces in lawsuit to challenge gene patents May 14, 2009
The plaintiffs do not accuse Myriad of being a poor steward of the information concerning the two genes at issue in the suit, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, but they argue that BRCA testing would improve if market forces were allowed to work. Harry Ostrer, director of the human genetics program at the New York University School of Medicine and a plaintiff in the case, said many laboratories could perform the BRCA tests faster than Myriad and for less money. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Breast Cancer Action Sues to End Gene Patenting May 13, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Breast Cancer Action (BCA) is challenging the legality of patenting human "breast cancer genes." BCA is joining the American Civil Liberties Union in suing Myriad Genetics (a private biotechnology company based in Utah), that currently holds the patent on the two human genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are present in every human ... Testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can only be performed at Myriad labs and currently... (PR Newswire)
ACMG Joins Lawsuit Challenging Patents on Breast Cancer Genes; Genes Are Naturally Occurring Substances and Should Not Be Patented, Says American College of Medical Genetics May 13, 2009
The lawsuit challenges patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are responsible for most cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers ... With breast cancer affecting an estimated one in eight women, ACMG has grave concerns over the human cost of patents on genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 that are important in diagnosis, management, risk assessment and prevention ... Patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes create a monopoly giving only one laboratory the right to do testing. (PR Newswire)
ACLU Challenges Patents on Breast Cancer Genes May 13, 2009
Mutations along the genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are responsible for most cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers ... The patents granted to Myriad give the company the exclusive right to perform diagnostic tests on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and to prevent any researcher from even looking at the genes without first getting permission from Myriad ... According to the lawsuit, such monopolistic control over these genes hampers clinical diagnosis and serves as a disincentive for research... (PR Newswire)
Smoking - even second-hand - increases breast cancer risk Apr 28, 2009
Carriers of the so-called breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, more than double their already high risk of breast cancer if they smoke. Genetics play an important role in determining a woman's risk. (Globe and Mail)
Specific Lung Cancer Susceptibility Gene Identified Apr 17, 2009
Understanding how the RGS17 gene impacts cancer development could change clinical diagnosis and treatment as radically as discovery of the breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) did, explains Anderson, who has led the multi-institutional Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium (GELCC) studying the genetic basis of lung cancer since 1997. A proven genetic test could help us identify people at risk before the disease progresses. (Science Daily)
Cursed by her genes, Krystal changes her destiny Mar 29, 2009
Dr Kathy Tucker, head of the Hereditary Cancer Clinic at the Prince of Wales Hospital, said about 10 per cent of women carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene faults chose to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. However it was not the only option, with young women at high risk of breast cancer now being eligible for the Medicare rebate for MRI breast scans. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Risk Factors Identified to Guide Preventive Mastectomy Decision Mar 25, 2009
The study did not focus on whether mutations in the genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 that raise the risk of breast cancer also raised the risk of having cancer later develop in the initially unaffected breast. Some women with these mutations or a strong family history of breast cancer get preventive mastectomies even before any tumor has developed in either breast. (MEDLINEplus)
'Personalized' Genome Sequencing Reveals Coding Error In Gene For Inherited Pancreatic Cancer Mar 13, 2009
The coding error in PALB2, which stands for "partner and co-localizer of BRCA2" causes a shortened version of the protein encoded by this gene, rendering it incapable of working with another cancer-related gene, BRCA2, to repair broken DNA. Mutations in BRCA2 are also known to cause hereditary forms of cancer ... She estimates that three percent of people with hereditary pancreatic cancer have mutations in PALB2, making it the second most common gene mutation in these patients after BRCA2. (Science Daily)
Women With Breast Cancer Gene Favor Preventive Mastectomy Mar 11, 2009
Several type of risk management strategies are available to women found to have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, which is known to elevate a woman's risk of breast cancer. These range from simply having more frequent screening exams to the preemptive removal of a breast. (MEDLINEplus)
Laughter helps, encouraged in the healing process Mar 10, 2009
One she is currently making herself aware of is the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. These are hereditary genes that cause breast cancer, which can be detected through genetic testing. (Wahpeton Daily News, ND)
Women with BRCA mutation, or worry, most likely to undergo prophylactic mastectomy Mar 9, 2009
For those with the BRCA1 mutation, their lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 47-66 percent, with some estimates even higher; those with BRCA2 have a lifetime risk of 40-57 percent. Women are referred to genetic counseling because of a personal diagnosis of breast cancer at a very young age, or a strong family history of the breast and/or ovarian, explained Jennifer Litton, M.D., assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Breast Medical Oncology. (EurekAlert!)
CRG buys Genomatix' Next Generation Sequencing analysis solution Mar 5, 2009
"We are pursuing research in two major areas. The first is the molecular mechanism of cancer. We are working to address the mechanism by which tumor suppressors such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 exerted their biological effects. Our second avenue of research entails the delineation of the mechanisms by which the genome is silenced through chromatin modification and small regulatory RNA. The laboratory's goal is to understand the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in mammalian development and genetic... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
At-Risk Screening Not Advised for Ovarian Cancer Feb 25, 2009
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at increased risk for ovarian cancer, but new research indicates that annual screening exams are not worthwhile as they do not help detect the cancer at an early stage. BRCA1 and BRCA2 belong to a class of genes called tumor suppressors ... BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are also well known for their association with breast cancer. (MEDLINEplus)
Genetic 'hotspot' for breast cancer risk Feb 16, 2009
Genetics plays an important role in the disease, and a handful of breast cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been identified. Mutations in these genes increase risk of inherited forms of breast cancers. (EurekAlert!)
6 Things to Know About Pancreatic Cancer Feb 10, 2009
Those with a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, known for their role in breast and ovarian cancer (including ), are also at higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers are also looking at other genes that may influence pancreatic cancer, as well as other, nonhereditary mutations. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Ovary Removal Lowers Odds of Cancer in High-Risk Women Feb 7, 2009
TUESDAY, Jan. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Removing the ovaries of women with a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes does substantially reduce their risk of getting both cancers, a new study confirms ... Women who have inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have elevated risks of both breast and ovarian cancer ... The lifetime risk of breast cancer ranges from 56 percent to 84 percent, according to the researchers, whereas the risk for ovarian cancer... (MEDLINEplus)
Breast cancer genes raises prostate risks in men Feb 7, 2009
WASHINGTON - The so-called breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can raise the risk that a man who develops prostate cancer will get an aggressive form of the disease, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday ... He said Ashkenazi Jewish men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer might want to consider getting tested for the mutations in BRCA2 and BRCA1 ... "Our large study shows conclusively that prostate cancer patients with either the BRCA2 gene mutation or the BRCA1-185delAG mutation are more... (MSNBC -- Health)
Mammograms May Harm Young BRCA Mutation Carriers Feb 7, 2009
Mammographic screening is recommended to begin as early as 25 to 30 years of age in carriers of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, which increase the risk of developing breast cancer ... "Estimates were similar for BRCA2 mutation carriers," they report. (MEDLINEplus)
Gene Mutations Increase Risk For Aggressive Prostate Cancer Feb 7, 2009
The study, involving 979 men with prostate cancer and 1251 men without the disease, looked at whether participants carried mutations for either of two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 ... The study focused on them because they are five times likelier than people in the general population to carry a mutation of any kind in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes ... The researchers looked for the presence of three particular mutations two in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2. (Science Daily)
Human DNA Repair Process Recorded In Action Feb 7, 2009
Because this protein is regulated by a gene linked to increased risk of breast cancer, BRCA2, it is also thought to play a role in suppression of that disease. With the ability to watch the assembly of individual filaments of Rad51 in real time, Kowalczykowski's team made a number of discoveries. (Science Daily)
Family History Ups Breast Cancer Risk Even Without BRCA Gene Feb 7, 2009
Over a six-year period, the researchers followed up nearly 1,500 women from 365 families who had tested negative for the so-called breast cancer gene mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The study shows that women with a strong family history but not the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are still very much more at risk than the average woman, said study author Kelly Metcalfe, an associate professor of nursing at the University of Toronto. (MEDLINEplus)
