A gene mutation which is associated with breast cancer has also been found in families with inherited pancreatic cancer.

It is thought that up to ten per cent of all cases of pancreatic cancer have a genetic origin. Yet no specific gene has ever been found to be linked to the disease. Now researchers in Germany say they have found an association between BRCA2, a gene involved in some cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

They looked at 26 European families, all with at least two first degree relatives having pancreatic cancer. They found that in three families, there were specific BRCA2 mutations that would make the corresponding BRCA2 protein non-functional. Another two families had other mutations in BRCA2. In all, then, 19 per cent of the families had BRCA2 mutations.

It may be that testing for BRCA2 might be useful as part of the assessment of individuals in families with a history of pancreatic cancer. But first, more needs to be known of the role BRCA2 actually plays in such cases. This means that larger studies of families with pancreatic cancer must now be done.

Source

Journal of the National Cancer Institute 5th February 2003