Home
>
What we do
>
Research
>
Our research projects
>
Understanding gene function
>
BRCA genes in breast cancer
My Breakthrough
BRCA genes and hereditary breast cancer
The genes most commonly associated with hereditary breast cancer are the BRCA genes and we know that people with BRCA mutations are at a significantly greater risk of developing the disease.
By exploiting their knowledge of how the BRCA gene functions in the cell, scientists at the Breakthrough Research Centre have been investigating new ways of specifically killing the cells in which the BRCA genes do not work, i.e. hereditary breast cancer cells.
The laboratory work has highlighted two drugs that are extremely effective at killing these cells. One of these drugs is called carboplatin and in collaboration with Cancer Research UK, the Breakthrough Cancer Research UK Genetic Breast Cancer Trial has been set up to determine whether this drug is as effective as it is in the laboratory.
The second drug is called a PARP inhibitor is at an earlier stage of drug development and has only recently been found to be effective in killing BRCA cells in the laboratory. We look forward to future reports on these drugs as their development progresses.
The laboratory work has highlighted two drugs that are extremely effective at killing these cells. One of these drugs is called carboplatin and in collaboration with Cancer Research UK, the Breakthrough Cancer Research UK Genetic Breast Cancer Trial has been set up to determine whether this drug is as effective as it is in the laboratory.
The second drug is called a PARP inhibitor is at an earlier stage of drug development and has only recently been found to be effective in killing BRCA cells in the laboratory. We look forward to future reports on these drugs as their development progresses.
Also within "Research"
- Our new research units
- Our research projects
-
- Understanding the biology of the breast
- Identifying the causes of breast cancer
- Understanding gene function
-
- Other genes involved in breast cancer
- BRCA genes in breast cancer
-
- BRCA genes and hereditary breast cancer
- BRCA genes in non-hereditary breast cancer
- Understanding tumour formation
- Investigating how breast cancers spread
- Understanding treatments and their side effects
- Preventing breast cancer
- Our research centre
- Our research strategy
- The Breakthrough Generations Study
