CINJ: Common genetic variation impacts diagnosis of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
January 15, 2016
In this latest research, blood samples from more than 1,000 women recruited through CINJ clinics were evaluated for the presence of genetic changes in the DNA sequence of the TSC1 gene. The team's findings show that the presence of a specific DNA change does not affect age of diagnosis of breast cancer for young patients, but does appear to delay disease onset in postmenopausal women. They note the presence of this genetic change likely makes TSC1 more sensitive to the effects of low amounts of estrogens found in women who are postmenopausal and confers a protective benefit by reducing the amount of cell growth."This research will provide the groundwork for understanding how common genetic changes in TSC1 may affect risk of developing breast and other cancers but may also provide clues for identifying those patients who may receive the most benefit from therapies targeting the mTOR pathway," noted Dr. Hirshfield.
The author team also includes Madhura S. Mehta, BS, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; and Alexei Vazquez, PhD, CINJ, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The work is supported by funding from The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Ruth Estrin Goldberg Memorial for Cancer Research, and The New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research.
The work represented by CINJ members is among the 6,300 abstracts being presented at the gathering, which is featuring more than 17,000 researchers, healthcare professionals, and patient advocates. The event is open to registered participants.
SOURCE The Cancer Institute of New Jersey