Identification of new mutations that contribute to breast cancer

Funded Activity Summary

Breast cancer affects approximately one in ten women and is therefore a major health problem. In order to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of this disease, it is critical to understand the genetic defects that contribute to disease initiation and progression. Although a number of breast cancer susceptibility genes have been identified, the contribution each of these genes makes to breast cancer susceptibility is currently unclear. This is partly due to limitations in current diagnostic processes and an incomplete understanding of all of the genetic elements for which disruption can lead to loss of gene function. This proposal aims to identify regulatory pathways that are critical for the expression of an important breast cancer gene called BRCA1. Furthermore, it aims to determine the status of these pathways in breast cancer patients, thus expanding our knowledge of the actual contribution that disruption of this gene makes to this disease. It also aims to determine the potential for trans-acting factors to regulate the expression of BRCA1 and thus activity of the BRCA1 pathway. The predicted outcome of this research is an improved ability to perform presymptomatic diagnostic testing for breast cancer and the ultimately the development of more effective drugs to treat certain breast tumours.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2008

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $323,825.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Genome Structure and Regulation

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

BRCA1 | Breast cancer | Familial cancer | Gene regulation | Genetic predisposition | Genetic testing | Mutation screening | Therapeutic target

Related Links