Tag: Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Study Shows Genetic Origins

A study published this week in the journal Nature shows that some types breast cancers are genetically similar to ovarian tumors.

Basal-like breast tumors, one of the most deadly types of breast cancers, were found to be more genetically similar to ovarian tumors than even other types of breast cancers. Basal-like tumors account for around 10% of all breast cancers and affect younger women and black women disproportionately. Researchers suggest that the tumors have common genetic origins and could be treated with the same drugs.

“With this study, we’re one giant step closer to understanding the genetic origins of the four major subtypes of breast cancer,” said Dr. Matthew Ellis, the Anheuser-Busch Chair in Medical Oncology at the Washington University School of Medecine and co-lead author of the study. “Now, we can investigate which drugs work best for patients based on the genetic profiles of their tumors. For basal-like breast tumors, it’s clear they are genetically more similar to ovarian tumors than to other breast cancers. Whether they can be treated the same way is an intriguing possibility that needs to be explored.”

Basal-like breast tumors are now treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy the same way many other breast cancers are. A different study Ellis authored shows that that type of chemotherapy isn’t effective for women with basal-like breast tumors. He suggests that future clinical trials should not use these drugs on those women. The new research suggests that these patients may benefit from treatments already used to fight ovarian cancer.

“Now, we’re much closer to understanding the true origins of the different types of breast cancer,” said Ellis. “With this information, physicians and scientists can look at their own samples to correlate patients’ tumor profiles with treatment response and overall outcomes. That’s the challenge for the future – translating a patient’s genetic profile into new treatment strategies.”

The research was part of The Cancer Genome Atlas project, which is currently identifying and cataloguing mutations involved with common cancers using genetic sequencing. For this study, a nationwide consortium of researchers analyzed breast tumors from 825 different women, looking for defects in DNA, RNA, and proteins.

September 24, 2012
Herceptin Breast Cancer Drug Shown to Greatly Increase Heart Risks

A study by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle has determined that trastuzumab, the drug behind the brand name Herceptin, raises the risks for heart problems in breast cancer patients much more than previously thought. Trastuzumab is widely prescribed alongside chemotherapy to increase survival chances for patients with breast cancer.

Erin Bowles, an epidemiologist at the Group Health Research Institute and lead author of the study, explains that previous studies of trastuzumab and similar drugs often exclude elderly women or those with other health problems that prevent them from being part of clinical trials. However, as breast cancer treatments improve, the ages of women with breast cancer are increasing.

“We tried to take a broader look by estimating the risk of heart failure in a more general population,” said Bowles. “We looked at all the women in a population with breast cancer, not selected ones. Our study shows that people who are not generally eligible for clinical trials – older women and those with existing heart failure – do receive these drugs in real life.”

Bowles’ cohort study looked at 12,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer. It found that the overall risks of developing heart failure or cardiomyopathy when trastuzumab was taken alone are greater than chemotherapy alone. The risks of combined chemotherapy and trastuzumab are even higher.

“These drugs are toxic,” said Bowles. “They kill cancer cells, and sometimes kill other cells in the body, too. These drugs are still important for women with breast cancer to use because we know they improve survival. But as with any drug, people need to be aware of the risks, too.”

September 6, 2012
Breast Cancer: If You Drink One Glass a Day You Increase Your Risk

A recent study indicates that if you have one alcoholic beverage a day you increase you likelihood of getting breast cancer by four percent. That risk skyrockets to 50 percent for individuals who consume three or more drinks per day.

These findings come from researchers in Germany, France, and Italy who have been reviewing data on the causal link.

Helmut K. Seitz, one of the authors of the study, explained and concluded that:

Chronic alcohol consumption increases the risk for cancer of the organs and tissues of the respiratory tract and the upper digestive tract (i.e., upper aerodigestive tract), liver, colon, rectum, and breast. Various factors may contribute to the development (i.e., pathogenesis) of alcohol-associated cancer, including the actions of acetaldehyde, the first and most toxic metabolite of alcohol metabolism. The main enzymes involved in alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism are alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are encoded by multiple genes. Because some of these genes exist in several variants (i.e., are polymorphic), and the enzymes encoded by certain variants may result in elevated acetaldehyde levels, the presence of these variants may predispose to certain cancers. Several mechanisms may contribute to alcohol-related cancer development. Acetaldehyde itself is a cancer-causing substance in experimental animals and reacts with DNA to form cancer-promoting compounds. In addition, highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules that are generated during certain pathways of alcohol metabolism can damage the DNA, thus also inducing tumor development. Together with other factors related to chronic alcohol consumption, these metabolism-related factors may increase tumor risk in chronic heavy drinkers.

This is why they advise that “Women should not exceed one drink [per] day, and women at elevated risk for breast cancer should avoid alcohol or consume alcohol occasionally only.”

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Despite the research, one woman in an interview with ABC news admitted that she will probably continue to drink wine.

Do you think this new research will influence people to cut back on their alcohol intake?

March 29, 2012
eBay Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, eBay is asking people to sell, buy or donate through its eBay Giving Works program.

eBay Giving Works allows buyers and sellers to support nonprofits by selling an item and donating a portion of the proceeds.

“In fact, for the value of every laptop sold this month through Giving Works, one uninsured patient could get a mammogram,” said Robert Chatwani, Director eBay Global Citizenship.

“Each person who takes part in this campaign will have an impact on the fight against breast cancer.”

Partnering with eBay on the effort are more than 100 national and local nonprofits including the American Cancer Society, Avon Foundation for Women, Bright Pink, City of Hope and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The nonprofits have teamed with eBay for a Hollywood charity auction featuring a meet-and-greet with Honorary Chairman of the Avon Foundation for Women Reese Witherspoon; a VIP meeting with Kristin Chenoweth backstage of the Broadway hit, “Promises, Promises”; dresses worn by Avon spokesperson and singer Fergie, and mark Brand Ambassador Ashley Greene of Twilight; a pink Vespa; and a Cher experience at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas.

Other items up for bid will include electronics, clothing and accessories, home goods, toys, sports and recreational equipment, books and memorabilia.

Visitors to ebay.com/jumpstart can pledge to support the cause and will be entered to win a holiday shopping spree on eBay. Five $100 eBay shopping sprees will be given away daily throughout the month of October.

October 4, 2010