93 Genes Triggering Breast Cancer Identified

Unpicking the genetic errors that cause breast cancer can help unlock new ways of treating the disease, said researchers.

Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute conducted a massive project comprising of DNA taken from 560 breast cancer patients. They analyzed the mutations that trigger the conversion of a breast cell into cancer cells.

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‘British Researchers identify 93 genes that are associated with breast cancer and targeting these genetic mutations can help in developing personalized breast cancer treatments.’

Human genome is made up of 20,000 genes, out of which they found 93 genetic mutations also called as mutational signatures are associated with breast cancer.

Examining more into this 93 faulty genes and targeting them for drug development could help in developing personalized breast cancer treatments.

These 93 genes are said to be crucial as they put a person at an higher risk of developing breast cancer. The team hope that they will be able to tailor treatment to the genetic make-up of the individual. The findings were published in the Journal Nature Communications.

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Professor Sir Mike Stratton, director of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said, "This huge study, examining in great detail the many thousands of mutations present in each of the genomes of 560 cases brings us much closer to a complete description of the changes in DNA in breast cancer and thus to a comprehensive understanding of the causes of the disease and the opportunities for new treatments."

Source-Medindia

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