Qld researchers play key role in world’s biggest genetic breast cancer risk analysis

Queensland researchers have played a major role in what’s described as the biggest breakthrough in the genetic causes of breast cancer in a decade.

QUEENSLAND researchers have played a key role in the world’s biggest genetic analysis of breast cancer risk, laying the foundations for the development of new preventive drugs and earlier treatments.

Geneticist Georgia Chenevix-Trench, of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, said the study identified 191 genes highly likely to affect a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

She said most of them had never been explored for their role in breast cancer, opening up more avenues of research into new treatment options.

QLD LAUNCHES WORLD’S LARGEST GENETIC STUDY OF SKIN CANCER

A DOZEN NEW BREAST CANCER GENES FOUND

Lorraine Woods (centre), 74, who had breast cancer almost 20 years ago, with her daughter Amanda Nicholson, 51, and granddaughter Molly Hampshire, 28. Picture: Richard Gosling/AAP

“This really opens up a whole new world into breast cancer biology,” Professor Chenevix-Trench said.

Many of the genes identified in the research, published in the journal Nature Genetics, play important roles in the immune system.

“A lot of people are looking at the immune system in terms of treatment with immunotherapies but, until now, there has been little evidence genes that control the immune system also affect a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer,” Professor Chenevix-Trench said.

She said the study had paved the way for QIMR Berghofer researchers to zero in on one particular gene for the development of a drug that high risk women may take to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer.

Combined with other research, it is also expected to contribute towards better screening for breast cancer and could potentially lead to earlier intervention.

Professor Chenevix-Trench was a joint leader of the research with scientists from Cambridge and Harvard universities.

Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench of the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Although she described the study as the biggest breakthrough into the genetic causes of breast cancer in a decade, she expected many more risk genes would be identified.

The research has heartened Lorraine Woods, 74, who developed breast cancer in 2000, about 25 years after her mother Joyce Kropp died of the disease.

Ms Woods, who has three daughters and four granddaughters, has tested negative to the two most well-known breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

“They couldn’t rule out a genetic condition but they didn’t have an identified gene,” she said.

“The more research the better. Each year that’s gone past, they’ve got closer to a cure. This research is again a step closer.”

Ms Woods, whose cancer was identified in its early stages, is keen to learn about advancements in breast cancer treatments in case her daughters or granddaughters need them.

She said she had benefited from improvements in detection and treatments that occurred after her mother’s death in 1975.

“I’m always of the view that every day is a bonus and I can live a life and do things that my mother never got to do,” Ms Woods said.