New breast cancer gene found

Scientists have made a fresh breakthrough in the search for the genetics of breast cancer – in a finding that could help improve treatment.

The latest gene is the said to be the first new one linked to breast cancer for five years.

Scientists say the gene, ZNF703, makes the cancer especially dangerous when it is overactive.

Researchers at Cambridge University, UK, backed by Cancer Research UK, worked with researchers in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on the project.

Their findings were reported in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine alongside a separate piece of research identifying ZNF703 as a breast cancer gene.

Researcher Professor Carlos Caldas, from Cambridge, said: "Scientists first discovered this region of DNA may be harbouring genes linked to the development of breast cancer twenty years ago.

"But it’s only with the technology we have today that we’ve been able to narrow down the search sufficiently to pinpoint the gene responsible."

He added: "Crucially, testing whether this gene is overactive in a patient’s tumour could help highlight those more likely to be resistant to standard hormone therapies, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, helping to make sure the right drugs are matched to the right patient."

Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, added: "This is the first gene of its kind to be discovered in breast cancer for five years. This is exciting because it’s a prime candidate for the development of new breast cancer drugs designed specifically to target tumours in which this gene is overactive.

"Hopefully this will lead to more effective cancer treatments in the future."

ZNF703 is a common Luminal B breast cancer oncogene that differentially regulates luminal and basal progenerators in human mammary epithelium. Holland et al.EMBO Molecular Medicine (2011)

Sircoulomb et al., ZNF703 gene amplification at 8p12 specifies luminal B breast cancer, EMBO Molecular Medicine (2011).