Breast cancer breakthrough
2003-11-04 13:56
Washington - Researchers say they have discovered a genetic switch in mice that can prevent or reverse the effects of breast cancer.
The findings were reported on Sunday at the 24th annual congress of the International Association for Breast Cancer Research in Sacramento, California.
A team of scientists from Canada, Switzerland and the University of California at Davis demonstrated that removing a single gene known as beta-1 integrin prevented or halted breast cancer growth in laboratory mice.
The gene is a principal regulator of normal breast tissue growth and survival.
"It's enormously gratifying," said Robert Cardiff, an author of the study.
"Our findings suggest paths forward that may help us alter the biological path of breast cancer and more successfully treat - and even potentially prevent - this cancer in humans."