In a novel study cancer experts have discovered a gene which can particularly cause an aggressive form of breast cancer. The first oncogene identified in five years is ZNF703. This gene is overactive in almost one in twelve cases of breast cancer.
According to researches this gene is a leading contender for the development of new drugs for breast cancer. In order to see the effects of oncogen the research teams from Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute and the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Canada carried out the study.
They examined the activity of gene in nearly twelve hundred samples of breast tumours plus investigate breast cancer cell growth in lab. They were capable to eradicate genes until there was only the ZNF703 gene left within a province on chromosome eight, which that was overactive in all the tested samples.
Moreover, in two patients examined, ZNF703 was the only gene revealed to be overactive, which showed, it was driving growth of the cancer, reported the study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine. The researchers believe that an oncogene is one that would usually help educate healthy cells to divide but on getting overactive, disturbs the normal checks and balances which regulate the process.
According to lead author Prof Carlos Caldas from the Cambridge Research Institute, researchers first revealed this region of DNA may be porting genes associated with the development of breast cancer twenty years ago. Significantly, testing if this gene is overactive in tumour patients could help emphasize those more prone to be resistant to average hormone therapies.
It would help to assure that the right drugs are harmonized to the right patient. This is the first gene of its kind to be identified in breast cancer for five years, explained Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information from Cancer Research UK.
This is thrilling as it is a leading candidate for the development of new breast cancer drugs planned particularly to aim tumours in which this gene is overactive, optimistically this will lead to more effectual cancer treatments in the future, added Dr Walker.