A gene that is involved in non-hereditary breast cancer has been found by a team in the US.

Tumour-suppressor genes are now known to play a key role in cancer. As their name suggests, they protect the cell from damage that can lead to cancer. If deleted or mutated, then the risk of cancer rises. In 1997, a team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the US discovered a tumour suppressor called PTEN which was the first to be linked to sporadic cancers. This is the term used to describe the majority of cases, which are not hereditary but arise from genetic damage occurring during life (rather than being present at birth).

This team has now discovered a new gene called DBC2 (short for 'deleted in breast cancer') which is thought be to missing or inactive in as many as 60 per cent of breast cancers. It is also found in lung cancer. The work was done in collaboration with researchers at the University of Washington, where the famous BRCA1, hereditary breast cancer, gene was discovered in 1990.

Importantly, the DCB2 gene can kill cancer cells or stop them growing, if it is introduced to cells lacking it. This suggests a possible way forward for new therapy for breast cancer.

Source

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 15th October 2002 (on-line edition 8th October)