What Are The Latest Advances In The Treatment Of Breast Cancer For Women Who Have A Mutation In BRCA 1/2 Genes
Are you at risk of hereditary breast cancer? And have you tested with BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 positive? If yes, do take a glance at this content to understand the BRCA mutation, its adverse effects, and the recent advancements in breast cancer treatment for breast cancer cases with BRCA mutation.
Breast cancer is ranked no:1 cancer among Indian women as one in every 28 women in India is affected with breast cancer.
Did You Know?
If you have inherited a BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation, then you are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and the average risk of developing ovarian cancer. Keep reading to understand the mutated genes and the disease outlook and BRCA breast cancer treatment.
The BRCA Gene And Its Functions
BRCA gene is the acronym for BReast CAncer gene that regulates cell growth and prevents rapid cell division. BRCA gene 1 and 2 plays a crucial role in regulating cell growth and protecting us against breast cancer. But due to some defect or mutation in this BRCA gene, the working of these genes gets collapsed and finally, it leads to the development of breast cancer.
Did You Know?
Every one of us is born with two copies of the BRCA 1 and BRCA2 gene, each copy of the BRCA gene is inherited from both of our parents. Research studies have reported that BRCA1 or two gene mutations are known to cause a 70 % high risk of breast cancer in your lifetime.
So once you get to know about the family history of breast cancer, check for BRCA gene mutation by undergoing a gene testing without any further delay.
What Is The Link Between The BRCA Gene And Breast Cancer?
Triple-negative breast cancer is aggressive cancer associated with BRCA 1 gene mutation. In the case of triple-negative cancer, the cancerous cells are not stimulated by estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor and hence derived the name triple negative cancer.
BRCA 2 mutated gene is related to case HER2 negative( human epidermal growth factor receptor) and estrogen receptor-positive cancer, where the cancerous tumor cells are triggered by estrogen.
How Does Hereditary Breast Cancer Occur?
This occurs due to the inheritance of the mutated BRCA gene from parents to children and later, it can run through their families.
Patients with BRCA gene mutation will be initially treated with standard cancer therapy. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer are conventionally treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy.
The Conventional Breast Cancer Therapy For BRCA 1 Or 2 Mutated Breast Cancer:
The latest studies show that women who tested positive for BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes and have been diagnosed with cancer in one breast, should definitely consider having a bilateral mastectomy (removal of both the breasts) to have a good survival rate.
Chemotherapy: Platinum compound drugs such as cisplatin or carboplatin are widely used in treating BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutated breast cancer. Since these genes are involved in DNA repair, they are sensitive to platinum compound agents that act by attacking the DNA strands
The Latest Treatment & Advances In Breast Cancer With BRCA 1 & 2 Gene Mutation?
Let's discuss the BRCA Breast cancer treatment options: With few recent advancements in cancer research, certain novel drugs are considered as promising therapy that helps in increasing the life expectancy of breast cancer patients.
Role of PARP enzymes in Breast cancer: PARP enzymes are responsible for the repair of DNA. In 2018, the FDA announced the approval of Olaparib, a drug for the treatment of BRCA mutated breast cancer. The other drugs approved under PARP inhibitors include Niraparib, Talazoparib and Rucaparib which produce their action by damaging the DNA repairment process. Therefore, cells become unstable and the proliferation of cancerous cells gets inhibited.
The latest clinical trial results with the drug Olaparib suggest that for women diagnosed with HER2 Negative early-stage breast cancer with BRCA mutation, Olaparib can be consumed for almost a year after completing the primary standard breast cancer therapy. Besides this, the trial report also shows that it can reduce the risk of breast cancer relapse and improve the survival rate.
In addition to this, the latest advances include immunotherapy as well. Atezolizumab has been one of the potent medications under immunotherapy that has been proved to be beneficial in BRCA gene mutation breast cancer. Atezolizumab is approved for its use in triple negative breast cancer along with chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. Atezolizumab has anti tumor activity and works by boosting the immune system to fight against cancer cells.
“Early Detection Is The Key To Survival”
It is advised to have a gene testing If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer because earlier detection can help reduce the high risk of breast cancer. Discuss with your oncologist about the prophylaxis treatment that involves hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer. However, latest trial reports have showcased the potential effects of targeted drug therapy that involves Olaparib, talazoparib, niraparib and rucaparib as approved by FDA. Thus, these drugs are considered as a gleam of hope in aggressive triple negative breast cancer patients by improving the survival rates and reducing the risk of recurrent disease.
