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- Posted Monday February 10, 2014
TGen study uncovers possible genetic markers in breast cancer that spreads to the brain
New treatments might be possible for patients who now have little hope
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 10, 2014 - The Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has uncovered possible
genetic origins of breast cancer that spreads to the brain,
according to a first-of-its-kind study published in the scientific
journal PLOS ONE.
The compendium of genetic targets uncovered by TGen now can be
used to identify potential new methods of diagnosis and new drug
therapies for the estimated 45,000 patients in the U.S. each year
whose cancer spreads from the breast to the brain.
The 3-year study is significant since these patients currently
have few treatments options - surgery and radiation - and they
usually are ineligible for clinical drug trials. Their prognosis is
poor, with fewer than 2 percent surviving more than two
years.
"This is really a significant problem and a huge unmet need. We
now want to dig deeper and uncover more specific genomic links and
study new ways to treat these patients so we can improve outcomes,"
said Dr. Bodour Salhia, an Assistant Professor in TGen's Integrated
Cancer Genomics Division and the study's lead and co-senior
author.
After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer
that spreads to the brain. Chemotherapy generally has not been used
to treat brain cancer, because of the blood-brain barrier that
exists between the bloodstream and the cerebrospinal fluid
surrounding the brain. However, some small molecule drugs can cross
this barrier and form the basis of targeted therapies.
The overall goal of the TGen study was to look at genomic and
epigenomic events to understand the causes of breast cancer brain
metastatic lesions, and identify potential new therapeutic
targets.
The TGen team performed deep genomic profiling, integrating gene
copy number, gene expression and DNA methylation datasets on a
collection of 35 breast-brain metastases samples. The study,
Integrated Genomic and Epigenomic Analysis of Breast Cancer
Brain Metastasis, published Jan. 29, is the first of its kind
to incorporate all of those avenues of inquiry in the study of this
disease.
Some of the common genetic alterations identified in the study
were gains and losses in chromosome 8, as well as cell
proliferation and cell-cycle progression - key mechanisms of cancer
caused by genetic alterations - linked to the genes AURKA, AURKB
and FOXM1.
"This groundbreaking study sets the stage for more exacting
research, using the latest genomic technologies and aimed at
developing new therapies that could help the tens of thousand of
patients who urgently need our help," said Dr. Nhan Tran, an
Associate Professor of TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division and
the study's other co-senior author.
This work was supported in part by the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), the Flinn Foundation, and C.A.R.E. (Cancer Awareness
Through Research & Education).
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About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]