Breast Cancer Treatment & Cure: Indian Scientists Discover New Cancerous Gene

It's one mystery solved: a group of researchers in India discovered that one cause of breast cancer is a gene mutation that triggers the growth of cancerous tumors, according to Times of India.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) and the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute (NSCBCRI) found that "Exon 20, a component of BRCA 1(Breast Cancer Associated gene), mutates to disrupt the structural stability of proteins, causing cancerous cells to proliferate," reports health.india.com.

A paper discussing Exon 20 mutation will be published on the December issue of the international journal, Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters. No other research study has explored the role of Exon 20 mutation in cancer. Scientists discovered the gene mutation while exploring the role of genetic factors in developing breast cancer.

The researchers found that Exon 20 "hindered the stability of BRCA's protein structure." One of the study's authors, Abhijit Chakraborty, explained that, "the protein helps cell cycle check point or controls the proliferation of cells. It also helps to repair DNA damage and prevents cancerous growth. Exon 20 mutation disrupts these two vital functions, allowing a proliferation of abnormal cells. This leads to tumoural growth and eventually breast cancer," according to Times of India. Chakraborty is a senior research fellow at the NSCBCRI. His fellow researchers include Keya Chaudhuri (Molecular and Human Genetics division of IICB), Jayasri Basak (Molecular Biology Division) and Ashish Muukhopadhyay (Oncology Division).

The scientists have yet to determine whether Exon 20 gene mutation is hereditary, or if it is specific to the region. Determining the answer to these questions will clarify whether the rising number of breast cancer cases in India may be attributed to the mutation.

The good news is that the research team believes that the gene mutation may be treated with existing medications.Oncologist Ashish Muukhopadhyay said, "There are medicines available that can check cell proliferation. Now that we know what triggers it, the drugs can be used in specific cases with better results," reports health.india.com.

India reportedly has increasing cases of breast cancer each year. There are 12,000 cases of breast cancer in Kolkata alone.