(Press-News.org) Bethesda, MD—Physicians may now be better at detecting breast cancer than ever before, but much more work remains to ensure accurate diagnosis is possible and especially to assess future risk. That's why researchers from Germany have been working to develop a new test of gene action to predict cancer risk both at first diagnosis and into the future. In a new research report appearing in the December 2012 issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers show that the various genetic switches, which are turned on and off in the regular development of every cell in the body, can be analyzed in minute detail to determine the presence or risk of breast cancer growth.
"We hope that our results help to develop tools to identify breast cancer patients when tumors are still small, and eventually curable," said Clarissa Gerhauser, Ph.D., a researcher involved in the work from the Division of Epigenomics and Cancer Risk Factors at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany. "These tools might hopefully also help to predict the progression of tumor development and guide decisions on cancer treatment."
To make this advance, Gerhauser and colleagues extracted DNA from 10 small tumor tissue samples and 10 normal breast tissues from breast cancer patients. They made small fragments from the extracted DNA and identified the genetic switches within those fragments. By comparing the results from various combinations of DNA fragments, scientists discovered which switches were more prevalent in tumor tissue than in normal breast tissue. The methods used to quantify the switches are extremely sensitive, making it feasible that small biopsies would be sufficient for analysis and testing.
"This is a milestone. The method described detects activity at the genetic level, which often occurs well before any outward symptoms occur," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "Not only could this allow for earlier diagnosis of breast cancer and more accurate risk assessment, but eventually, this technique might be used in other types of cancer as well."
###
Receive monthly highlights from The FASEB Journal by e-mail. Sign up at http://www.faseb.org/fjupdate.aspx. The FASEB Journal is published by the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). It is among the most cited biology journals worldwide according to the Institute for Scientific Information and has been recognized by the Special Libraries Association as one of the top 100 most influential biomedical journals of the past century. FASEB is composed of 26 societies with more than 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. Celebrating 100 Years of Advancing the Life Sciences in 2012, FASEB is rededicating its efforts to advance health and well-being by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.
Details: Marta Faryna, Carolin Konermann, Sebastian Aulmann, Justo Lorenzo Bermejo, Markus Brugger, Sven Diederichs, Joachim Rom, Dieter Weichenhan, Rainer Claus, Michael Rehli, Peter Schirmacher, Hans-Peter Sinn, Christoph Plass, and Clarissa Gerhauser. Genome-wide methylation screen in low-grade breast cancer identifies novel epigenetically altered genes as potential biomarkers for tumor diagnosis. FASEB J 26:4937-4950, doi:10.1096/fj.12-209502 ; http://www.fasebj.org/content/26/12/4937.abstract
New genetic test detects early breast cancer and identifies future risk
New research in The FASEB Journal suggests that a new detection method can accurately identify genetic switches lost and gained during the development of breast cancer tumors, resulting in earlier diagnosis
2012-11-29
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New approach allows past data to be used to improve future climate projections
2012-11-29
Climate scientists are still grappling with one of the main questions of modern times: how high will global temperatures rise if the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide doubles. Many researchers are turning to the past because it holds clues to how nature reacted to climate change before the anthropogenic impact. The divergent results of this research, however, have made it difficult to make precise predictions about the impact of increased carbon dioxide on future warming. An international team of scientists have evaluated previously published estimates and assigned ...
'Dark core' may not be so dark after all
2012-11-29
ATHENS, Ohio (Nov. 29, 2012)—Astronomers were puzzled earlier this year when NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spotted an overabundance of dark matter in the heart of the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. This observation was surprising because dark matter and galaxies should be anchored together, even during a collision between galaxy clusters.
Astronomers have abundant evidence that an as-yet-unidentified form of matter is responsible for 90 percent of the gravity within galaxies and clusters of galaxies. Because it is detected via its gravity and not its light, they call ...
The future looks bright: ONR, marines eye solar energy
2012-11-29
ARLINGTON, Va. —The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is looking to the sun for energy in an effort to help Marines do away with diesel-guzzling generators now used in combat outposts, officials announced Nov. 29.
The Renewable Sustainable Expeditionary Power (RSEP) program seeks to create a transportable renewable hybrid system that can provide Marines with electricity for a 15-day mission without relying on fuel resupply convoys that often become targets for adversaries.
"This program takes on a number of power-related challenges and ultimately will allow the Marine ...
Mild vibrations may provide some of the same benefits to obese people as exercise
2012-11-29
Bethesda, MD—If you're looking to get some of the benefits of exercise without doing the work, here's some good news. A new research report published online in The FASEB Journal shows that low-intensity vibrations led to improvements in the immune function of obese mice. If the same effect can be found in people, this could have clinical benefits for obese people suffering from a wide range of immune problems related to obesity.
"This study demonstrates that mechanical signals can help restore an immune system compromised by obesity," said Clinton Rubin, Ph.D., study ...
Oceanic crust breakthrough: Solving a magma mystery
2012-11-29
Washington, D.C. — Oceanic crust covers two-thirds of the Earth's solid surface, but scientists still don't entirely understand the process by which it is made. Analysis of more than 600 samples of oceanic crust by a team including Carnegie's Frances Jenner reveals a systemic pattern that alters long-held beliefs about how this process works, explaining a crucial step in understanding Earth's geological deep processes. Their work is published in Nature on November 29.
Magmas generated by melting of the Earth's mantle rise up below the oceanic crust and erupt on the Earth's ...
Children with higher intelligence less likely to report chronic widespread pain in adulthood
2012-11-29
Philadelphia, PA, November 29, 2012 – A UK-based study team has determined that there is a correlation between childhood intelligence and chronic widespread pain (CWP) in adulthood, according to a new study published in the December issue of PAIN®. About 10-15 percent of adults report CWP, a common musculoskeletal complaint that tends to occur more frequently among women and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. CWP is a core symptom of fibromyalgia and is one of the most common reasons for consulting a rheumatologist.
"One psychological factor that could ...
Canada's first liver cell transplant takes place in Calgary
2012-11-29
CALGARY – A three-month-old Winnipeg girl has become the first patient in Canada to receive an experimental and potentially life-saving form of therapy to improve the function of her liver.
Physicians at Alberta Children's Hospital, led by medical geneticist Dr. Aneal Khan, successfully completed a series of liver cell transplants earlier this month on patient Nazdana Ali.
Nazdana was born last August with a Urea Cycle Disorder (UCD), a genetic disease that causes ammonia to build up in the body that, if untreated, would lead to brain damage and death. Ammonia is ...
Sources of E. coli are not always what they seem
2012-11-29
This press release is available in Spanish.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have identified sources of Escherichia coli bacteria that could help restore the reputation of local livestock. Studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Mark Ibekwe suggest that in some parts of California, pathogens in local waterways are more often carried there via runoff from urban areas, not from animal production facilities.
ARS is USDA's chief intramural scientific research agency, and this work supports the USDA priority of ensuring food safety.
Even ...
The beginning of everything: A new paradigm shift for the infant universe
2012-11-29
A new paradigm for understanding the earliest eras in the history of the universe has been developed by scientists at Penn State University. Using techniques from an area of modern physics called loop quantum cosmology, developed at Penn State, the scientists now have extended analyses that include quantum physics farther back in time than ever before -- all the way to the beginning. The new paradigm of loop quantum origins shows, for the first time, that the large-scale structures we now see in the universe evolved from fundamental fluctuations in the essential quantum ...
Precisely engineering 3-D brain tissues
2012-11-29
CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Borrowing from microfabrication techniques used in the semiconductor industry, MIT and Harvard Medical School (HMS) engineers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to create three-dimensional brain tissues in a lab dish.
The new technique yields tissue constructs that closely mimic the cellular composition of those in the living brain, allowing scientists to study how neurons form connections and to predict how cells from individual patients might respond to different drugs. The work also paves the way for developing bioengineered implants to replace ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Ancient 3D paper art, kirigami, could shape modern wireless technology
Integrating machine learning with statistical methods enhances disease risk prediction models
Changing watering practices to improve tomato plant health
Six proteins implicated in early-onset preeclampsia
Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio reveal oversight in AI image recognition tools
World of crayfish™: A web platform for global mapping of freshwater crayfish and pathogens
How to make biodiversity credits work: science-based solutions for real conservation gains
Qunova becomes first to achieve ‘chemical accuracy’ on commercial quantum computers with its hardware agnostic algorithm
Scientists have successfully bred corals to improve their heat tolerance
Adaptability of trees persists after millions of years of climate change
Protein involved in balancing DNA replication and restarting found
How liberals and conservatives can have better conversations, according to a psychologist
Survey finds 25% of adults suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD
Let there be light: Bright future for solar panels, TV screens and more
Innovative nanoparticle therapy targets fat absorption to combat obesity
Novel procedure combined with semaglutide may eliminate insulin dependency in type 2 diabetes
Three key signs of major trauma could speed up treatment of severely injured children brought to emergency departments by carers not ambulances
Climate change is a health emergency too
Chronic stress accelerates colorectal cancer progression by disrupting the balance of gut microbiota, new study shows
Brazilian study identifies potential targets for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis
Using AI and iNaturalist, scientists build one of the highest resolution maps yet of California plants
Researchers identify signs tied to more severe cases of RSV
Mays Cancer Center radiation oncologist recognized as outstanding mentor to next generation leaders
Hitting the bull’s eye to target ‘undruggable’ diseases – researchers reveal new levels of detail in targeted protein degradation
SCAI publishes expert consensus statement on managing patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction
Engineering perovskite materials at the atomic level paves way for new lasers, LEDs
Kessler Foundation 2024 Survey highlights key strategies for hiring and supporting workers with disabilities in the hospitality industry
Harnessing protons to treat cancer
Researchers identify neurodevelopmental symptoms that indicate genetic disorders
Electronic nudges to increase influenza vaccination in patients with chronic diseases
[Press-News.org] New genetic test detects early breast cancer and identifies future riskNew research in The FASEB Journal suggests that a new detection method can accurately identify genetic switches lost and gained during the development of breast cancer tumors, resulting in earlier diagnosis