Breast cancer breakthrough: New Zealand-led study finds way to reduce risk without surgery

In New Zealand, approximately 1 in 250 women inherit one of the mutations examined in this study. Photography / 123RF

Along RNZMore

A global study led by the University of Otago has found that genetic alterations may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

The discovery of new genes also opens the door to developing drugs that reduce the risk of cancer.

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The study involved 26,000 women known to carry BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations in breast cancer genes, making it the largest study of its kind.

“This discovery comes after examining thousands of women around the world,” said Associate Professor Logan Walker, who led the study.

“That allowed us to see genetic changes. These genetic changes suggest that some women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer also inherit another genetic change that reduces their risk.” It has guided us in the direction of confirming

“It quickly turned to see which gene it was, which protein it was made from, and whether that protein could be effectively inhibited in a medical sense to reduce risk for those women. I did.”

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In New Zealand, approximately 1 in 250 women inherit one of these mutations.

Bilateral mastectomy is currently the most effective strategy for these women at high risk of breast cancer.

Walker said the surgery was effective, but it could cause ongoing psychological and physiological harm to patients, especially young women.

The researchers say that lowering the levels of the protein produced by the new gene SULT1A1 reduces the chances of women getting breast cancer, especially if the BRCA-1 gene is also mutated.

“When we reduced the activity of the SULT1A1 gene in breast cells, the cells grew slower and were more resistant to DNA damage,” said Walker.

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The researchers also found that women with missing segments of the BRCA-1 gene had the highest risk of developing breast cancer.

Dr. George Wiggins of Otago is leading the next step: developing risk-reducing drugs.

“Prophylactic drug therapy is becoming well established for the prevention of various diseases,” said Walker. “For example, aspirin, statins, and antihypertensive therapy have had a significant impact on reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and increasing life expectancy.

“By comparison, progress in therapeutic interventions to prevent breast cancer has lagged. There are many benefits for the family.

“Such treatments may give genetically predisposed young women the opportunity to have children and breastfeed by delaying or replacing the need for risk-reducing surgery.”

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Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with more than 3,300 new cases and 600 deaths annually.

“Undergoing risk-reducing surgery may also represent a barrier to breast cancer prevention for many people, leading to inequalities in health outcomes,” Walker said.

“Effective prevention strategies for women at high risk of breast cancer are essential to control and reduce the social and economic impact of the disease.”

This study was funded through a grant from the New Zealand Health Research Council.

-RNZ

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