Abstract This paper examines how certain genes, specifically BRCA1 and BRCA2 can be used in diagnosing and treating breast cancer. It outlines the possible causes of breast cancer, its symptoms, and treatment. It also discusses the issue of genetic screening, as an ethical issue and how it can help to treat breast cancer.
From the paper:
"Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the growth of malignant cells in the mammary glands and can actually can strike both men and women, although women are about 100 times more likely to develop the disease than men. Most cancers in female breasts form shortly before, during, or after menopause, with three-quarters of all cases being diagnosed after age 50. Generally, the older a woman is, the greater is her likelihood of developing breast cancer. Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and in North America and Western Europe, where life spans are longer, the incidence is highest."
Abstract This paper explains that haplotype analysis is used to determine if a disease is hereditary and to pinpoint the family members who are carriers for the mutation that causes the disease. The author points out that the pattern of markers associated with marker D aid researchers in identifying whether an individual carries the abnormal form of BRCA2, but there may be many sources of error, including cross-contamination of samples while loading them into the gel, too much voltage causing the products to run too far across the DNA, and general human error. The paper stresses that haplotype testing should be widely available to anyone who wants it because, with this knowledge, the patient may take proactive steps, such as taking Tamoxifen. Charts.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Observation and Results
Discussion Questions
Conclusion
Biotechnology-Breast Cancer Detection
From the Paper "There are two genes identified with breast cancer. The first is BRCA1. In families that have a history of cancer through multiple generations, women with abnormalities in the BRCA1 gene have a 85% chance of developing breast cancer and a 44% chance of developing ovarian cancer by the age of seventy. Studies of families that were considered high-risk showed that women who had BRCA2 alterations were less likely to develop breast/ovarian cancer than those with BRCA1. Men who inherit an abnormal BRCA2 gene are about 80 times more likely to get breast cancer than a man without the BRCA2 abnormality."
Abstract This paper discusses the effects of BRCA1 in sporadic breast cancer. It analyzes studies that suggest that non-genetic risk factors may differ in women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation more than in women who do not have such a mutation. It describes each of the three studies and their conclusions, but suggests that further studies need to be done to examine the exact effects and possible prevention of the BRCA1 mutation.
From the Paper "Surprisingly, closely similar findings were described in each of the three studies, though scientists doing the studies expected to find these results. In the Netherlands study, they described for the first time the high expression of EGFR in breast cancers related to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations (van der Groep, et al. 615). In the Korean study, BRCA-associated tumors showed lower ER, PR, and HER-2/neu and higher p53 expression, findings in accordance with previous studies, though the ages of the subjects were found to be younger than those of other studies. Also, in the Korean study, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations did not identify any of the founder mutations common to western populations, though they admit that more population-based studies need to be done. They found that the BRCA1 anomaly had characteristics indicating either higher mitotic activity or no tubule formation, often with lymphocytic infiltration. In all cases, BRCA2 mutations were invasively cancerous. There were other factors that each study admitted had influences on analysis, such as sporadic carcinogenetic pathways, age, family history and estrogen and progesterone receptors. The Netherlands study added that the expression of Ki57 and EGFR was found to be related to sporadic cancer. The Icelandic study found phenotypic similarities between BRCA1 methylated and familial BRCA1 breast tumors (Birgisdotter, et al. 9)."
Abstract This paper discusses the effects of BRCA1 in sporadic breast cancer. It analyzes studies that suggest that non-genetic risk factors may differ in women who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation more than in women who do not have such a mutation. It describes each of the three studies and their conclusions, but suggests that further studies need to be done to examine the exact effects and possible prevention of the BRCA1 mutation.
From the Paper "Surprisingly, closely similar findings were described in each of the three studies, though scientists doing the studies expected to find these results. In the Netherlands study, they described for the first time the high expression of EGFR in breast cancers related to BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations (van der Groep, et al. 615). In the Korean study, BRCA-associated tumors showed lower ER, PR, and HER-2/neu and higher p53 expression, findings in accordance with previous studies, though the ages of the subjects were found to be younger than those of other studies. Also, in the Korean study, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations did not identify any of the founder mutations common to western populations, though they admit that more population-based studies need to be done. They found that the BRCA1 anomaly had characteristics indicating either higher mitotic activity or no tubule formation, often with lymphocytic infiltration. In all cases, BRCA2 mutations were invasively cancerous. There were other factors that each study admitted had influences on analysis, such as sporadic carcinogenetic pathways, age, family history and estrogen and progesterone receptors. The Netherlands study added that the expression of Ki57 and EGFR was found to be related to sporadic cancer. The Icelandic study found phenotypic similarities between BRCA1 methylated and familial BRCA1 breast tumors (Birgisdotter, et al. 9)."
