Researchers from the University of Cambridge discover that drugs used for late-stage breast cancer could prevent the disease in individuals with BRCA gene mutations, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have made a significant discovery that could potentially prevent breast cancer in individuals with BRCA gene mutations, traditionally at higher risk for the disease. The study, published in Nature Genetics, highlights that drugs usually reserved for treating late-stage breast cancer could be used to preemptively treat those with faulty BRCA genes to prevent cancer from developing. This groundbreaking research revealed signs of immune cell exhaustion in healthy women with BRCA mutations, indicating a possible dysfunction that could lead to cancer.
This new approach offers a hopeful alternative to invasive preventive surgeries for individuals carrying these mutations, known to increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. Professor Walid Khaled, the study’s senior author, indicated that existing immunotherapy drugs could tackle this immune dysfunction. However, he noted that additional research is needed to determine safe dosages for these preventive treatments.
Supported by Cancer Research UK, this research is part of the Human Breast Cell Atlas project, aiming to deepen understanding of breast cancer development and leading to a call for further trials. The study stands as a promising step towards creating preventive treatments for those genetically predisposed to breast cancer, potentially transforming future care practices.
Dr. Simon Vincent from Breast Cancer Now articulated the significance of prevention, emphasizing the study’s potential to halt the disease before it starts, thus charting a potential new course in breast cancer management for those with BRCA gene mutations.
