DNA METHYLATION IN BREAST CANCER

Funded Activity Summary

The recent cloning of the breast cancer predisposition gene, BRCA1 had an unexpected consequence. Whereas mutations were found in affected individuals from families showing a predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, mutations were not identified in breast cancers from individuals with no family history. We have identified a type of change called an epigenetic change affecting BRCA1 in breast and ovarian cancers. Epigenetic changes are mechanisms which act at a gene without causing mutations but nevertheless have the stability of genetic change. We plan to examine breast tumours for further epigenetic changes. This project has important implications for our understanding of the development of breast cancer. This new understanding may in turn suggest new strategies for the treatment of breast cancer.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2000

End Date: 01-01-2002

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $173,380.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Oncology And Carcinogenesis

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

BRCA1 | breast cancer | epigenetics | methylation | molecular pathology | prognostic markers | tumour suppressor genes

Related Links