Van Andel Institute’s Post

The #BreastCancer Index is a #genomictest (a test that analyze a person’s cancer genes). #Genetictesting is done on a sample of your blood, saliva, or other tissue and can tell if you have a mutation in a gene that is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Index evaluates the activity of 11 genes to help predict the behavior of early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, particularly the likelihood of the disease recurring within 5 to 10 years after diagnosis. Consequently, the test can help women and their doctors decide if extending #hormonaltherapy for 5 more years (10 years total) would be beneficial. Since many women have difficulty tolerating the side effects (e.g., #hotflashes and joint pain) from hormonal therapy, they want to know if extending the duration of hormonal therapy is warranted. https://lnkd.in/euG3Ccvu #cancerresearch

In this October month of breast cancer awareness, a comprehensive overview of the changing paradigm of breast cancer authored by Dr. Kunal Sharma. With an exponentially rising disease burden globally, the article highlights how breast cancer is no longer a single disease but varies from patient to patient based on complex molecular pathogenesis and other non genetic factors. It stresses on the importance of complete testing including hormone receptor analysis, targetable mutation testing, genomic profiling, companion diagnostics, tests to assess recurrence risk, and advent of AI in breast cancer diagnosis, with a special focus on the disease in the Indian context. Agilus Diagnostics #pinkoctober #breastcancerawareness

Medical oncologists specializing in gastrointestinal cancers shed light on the evolving area of research that examines the connection between cholesterol and cancer. Recent studies have shown that high cholesterol levels can trigger malignant cell activity and slow down the immune response to cancer cells. Moreover, alterations in blood cholesterol levels are common in many cancers, but it is still unclear whether these alterations cause cancer or are a result of it. Read more about the research that examines the link between cholesterol and colon cancer tumor growth here: https://lnkd.in/eZ92Hxpm

Activation of the estrogen receptor (ER) drives growth of the majority of breast cancers. Many breast cancer patients relapse during or after hormone therapies that inhibit ER activity, progressing to metastatic disease. Our manuscript identifies a new mechanism by which transcriptional reprogramming drives resistance to the ER downregulator, fulvestrant. We show that this resistance is frequently directed by induction of VGLL1, a co-factor for TEAD family of transcription factors. We identify VGLL1/TEAD regulated genes and demonstrate that inhibiting VGLL1/TEAD interaction directly, or by targeting VGLL1/TEAD regulated genes, provides a means of overcoming resistance to fulvestrant. Our work also has important implications for response and resistance to new generation ER downregulators now in advanced clinical testing. https://lnkd.in/dywaYSk6. This work was wonderfully led by Carolina Gemma, PhD, with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) funding. CRUK Convergence Science Centre. Wonderful help of many including Chun Fui Lai, Alyssa Nicholls, Georgia Simmons, Hailing Fan, Van Nguyen, Luca Magnani, Emad Rakha, Lesley-Ann Martin-Drew, Elgene Lim, charles Coombes, Laki (Lakjaya) Buluwela

Rare cancers make up 20% of all cancers diagnosed globally each year. One of the ways researchers are trying to improve outcomes for patients is by trialling drugs already licensed for more common cancers on these rare tumours. This is only possible thanks to recent advances in DNA analysis. Researchers are able to identify genetic alterations in the rare tumours that show that they may respond well to these existing treatments which target the same alterations in more common cancers. The DETERMINE trial is just one example of how experts at The Christie and our partners are pioneering personalised medicine for patients, improving outcomes and quality of life. Read more about the trial and its potential impact 👉 https://bit.ly/3S6oMAp

Cancer odds increase with age. Double from 50 to 60, then double again from 60 to 80 (check https://lnkd.in/dX8mqMTU for more). However, there is one cancer type that becomes less likely after 75: lung cancer. New studies show that is due to the lung tissue becoming less suitable for tumor growth after a given age : https://lnkd.in/er7hwCp9 See? Not everything is bad news... And on another plus side, the link from ageing to cancer is clearer than ever, and that will help us understand ageing is the enemy to combat.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Prediction Women with a family history of cancer are urged to undergo DNA testing regardless of age, as mutated hereditary cancer genes significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Associate Professor Joanne Ngeow from Nanyang Technological University Singapore emphasizes the necessity of annual cancer screening for those with mutated genes. With cases of cancer occurring at younger ages, early screening is crucial. Don't wait—click the link to read more: https://lnkd.in/gTNHcwZp Learn about MammoReady, NalaGenetics' breast cancer risk prediction tool, can guide you through personalized screening and prevention here: https://lnkd.in/gQ3JFEQ4 #NalaGenetics #breastcancer #MammoReady #riskprediction

Although highly preventable, cervical cancer still claims the lives of roughly 35,700 women a year in the Americas, with a staggering 80 percent of these cases occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The newly unveiled BGI Genomics 2023 Global State of Cervical Cancer Awareness Report sheds light on potential gaps in awareness that might be contributing to the uneven distribution of cervical cancer cases within these regions. #cervicalcancerawareness

Fascinating new insights into the molecular mechanisms at play in cancer cells to mask their visibility to immune surveillance presented by researchers at EPFL. Heterochromatin loss and genetic instability enhance cancer progression, while uncontrolled replicative stress leads to cellular responses that promote immune rejection. Upregulation of primate-specific KRAB domain-containing zinc finger proteins (KZFPs) was shown to contribute to heterochromatin maintenance at transposable elements and correlate with poor prognosis, increased copy-number alterations, and changes in the tumor microenvironment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and other cancers. These transposable elements protect against loss of epigenetic controls but cancer cells evolve to overpower their KZFP regulators and promote their own growth. There is so much still to learn to unlock new avenues toward more refined interference in the molecular arms race that is cancer. #cancerresearch https://lnkd.in/db95BJSS

Numerous studies have shown a link between alcohol and breast cancer. Alcohol can damage DNA and increase estrogen levels, both of which can contribute to breast cancer developing. Wistar researchers are exploring another link and showing how breast tumors feed on a breakdown product of alcohol called acetate, which they use to grow and fight the body’s immune response. Genetic differences may mean that some women produce more alcohol-metabolizing enzymes in breast cancer stem cells than others, which could lead to even greater risk. This research could lead to new tools to help women understand their breast cancer risk and make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #CancerResearch #WistarScience https://lnkd.in/e6YYtiBq