Study reveals DNA methylation changes in BRCA1 gene may help identify breast cancer risk
Baker's choice. Dense with flavour, light on filler.
Summary
Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory, in collaboration with GRAIL, have published a study exploring how DNA methylation changes in the BRCA1 gene—rather than just inherited mutations—may help identify breast cancer risk and severity. The research highlights that chemical tags added to DNA can switch genes on or off, and these epigenetic changes could serve as overlooked signals for cancer screening and risk assessment.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledScientists have long known that inherited mutations in the BRCA1 gene... can dramatically increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Genes are not controlled only by changes (or mutations) in DNA sequence. They can also be switched 'on' or 'off' through chemical tags added to DNA, a process known as DNA methylation.
JAX's Francesca Menghi and JAX Professor and President Emeritus Edison Liu highlight how these methylation changes may help identify cancer risk and severity.
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