A “genetic marker” method can accurately profile women predisposed to breast cancer recurrence
Researchers tested the DNA of more than 300 women and discovered a “genetic marker” method that helps determine which women are prone to breast cancer recurrence years later.
Using a simple blood test, Sambasivarao Damaraju, a professor with the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, and colleagues scanned the entire human genome of 369 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Of those, 155 experienced a relapse, and 214 did not.
Damaraju, who works in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, says, “If we can accurately predict which women are at high risk of breast cancer recurrence, it gives the physicians and oncologists treating those women time to design a more aggressive therapy in hopes of preventing the cancer from coming back. Treatment strategies could be tailor made for these women based on their genetic make-up and how susceptible it makes them to breast cancer recurrence.”
Damaraju and his team are continuing their research in this area.
Study findings are published in the peer-reviewed journal, PLoS One.
Source: University of Alberta.