Gene That Halts Breast Cancer Progression Discovered

14-3-3s gene that plays a crucial role in halting breast cancer initiation and progression has been identified by researchers.

The discovery of this new target by William J. Muller and his team from McGill University's Goodman Cancer Research Centre points to novel therapies that eventually could slow or stop breast cancer progression.

Breast Cancer - Prevention and Management with Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle choices may or may not cause breast cancer but healthy lifestyle changes can open up avenues beyond breast cancer. Good habits will allow one to fight breast cancer and to live with dignity.

Based on past clinical observations revealing that the expression of gene 14-3-3s is silenced in a large percentage of breast cancers, researchers had long suspected that it played a role in stopping cancer cells from dividing.

The McGill team wanted to confirm whether this was the case. Using a transgenic mouse model that expresses ErbB2, an oncogene associated with aggressive breast cancers, they inactivated the 14-3-3s gene in the mammary gland.

"We found that the loss of this expression did, in fact, result in a dramatic acceleration of tumour onset," Muller said.

Quiz on Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. It is often said that a woman who breast-feeds is at a lower risk of developing cancer compared to another who does not .Are these mere old wives tales or is there some truth in it? This quiz on breast cancer has all the details.

"The two genes, 14-3-3s and ErbB2, co-operate, with 14-3-3s being the brakes. If you lose the brakes, ErbB2 can induce the cells to divide indefinitely. Furthermore, not only is the ability of these cells to divide enhanced but they become extraordinarily metastatic. They can invade distant sites,' he added.

The study has been recently published online in the journal Cancer Discovery.

Breast Self Examination
Slides and animation of Breast Self Examination for early detection of breast cancer lumps in women

Source-ANI

Biopsy of Recurrent Breast Cancer Could Modify Treatment
PMH led breast cancer clinical research study once again proves comparison of a new biopsy of progressing or recurring cancer with that of the original cancer can order an alteration in treatment.