NF1 Linked To More Than 25% Of Breast Cancers

A team of scientists have helped to learn of one way breast cancer is triggered. Studies were first conducted on mammary tumors in mice, which have similar activity to that of a human's. What was discovered in 59 of 60 mice with mammary tumors was the absence of the Ras protein suppressor NF1. Ras is a common oncogene, it is a protein that helps cell growth and division. With over-activation of Ras protein the following result is a cancerous cell. Once this data had been compiled researchers then looked towards The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) data to find that more than 25% of breast cancer patients had mutations in the NF1 gene. This discovery helps for researchers and physicians to understand why some breast cancers are more likely to respond to certain treatments.

The ways researchers discover mutations that trigger cancer is remarkable. In order to find the hundreds of mutations that can unleash cancerous growth is just as the article suggest: like finding the needle in the haystack. These findings bring a sense of optimism to the world of cancer research. In the future physicians will be able to code a genetic sequence in order to determine the cause to a particular cancer a patient has. Because there are a myriad of mutations that can cause cancer, a movement toward personalized medicine is needed. These discoveries are what will make personalized medicine a reality, and create a step towards cancer eradication.