In one of the biggest and most powerful studies on breast cancer, at least two biomarkers have been identified and are believed to exacerbate the progression of the disease.
The study focuses on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, a type of cancer that is hormone related. It is also the most common type of breast cancer especially among women.
More than 120 research teams participated in the study with the British team in the lead. They work in London's Institute of Cancer Research. Part of their work is to identify genetic code variants that, even if they're small, can have a huge effect on the susceptibility of women to breast cancer by simply altering their DNA. The team also worked on standardizing their methods of genetic testing in order to produce more reliable results.
The research, which you can now read comprehensively in Human Molecular Genetics, included obtaining the DNA of around 100,000 women of various ancestries, such as European, African, and Asian. Fifty percent of these women have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
During analysis, the team discovered that two genetic code variants, which they referred to as rs13294895 and rs10816625 affect a gene known as KLF4. This gene, meanwhile, is responsible for cellular division and growth. For cancer cells to thrive, they should replicate themselves uncontrollably.
Women who have these types of variants are then shown to have an increased risk of breast cancer between 9% and 12%.
This study is very significant since it can increase the reliability of breast cancer screening and detection. Doctors will be able to identify more accurately who among the women are at the highest risk of the disease. These can also lead to more targeted therapies that can increase the patients' survival rate, as well as boost prevention. So far, there are already over 80 genetic risk factors associated with breast cancer.