Breast cancer genes protect against some leukemias and lymphomas

Carriers of mutations in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have very high lifetime risks for breasts/ovarian... » More

Carriers of mutations in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have very high lifetime risks for breasts/ovarian cancer. Products of either gene have multiple functions including involvement in error-free double strand break repair. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are both components of a DNA damage response pathway that has the ability to return fragments of broken chromosomes back into their correct positions without ligating them elsewhere. But cancers at other sites may also occur without this safeguard. Deficits virtually anywhere within the BRCA pathway cause large increases in risk for a subgroup of hematologic cancers. The study in the video may lead to improved surveillance and better treatment options not only for these leukemias and lymphomas but also for breast and ovarian cancers. Please see http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/7/152 « Hide