To understand the genetic basis of two of the most important cancers in women, breast and ovarian cancer. The team has already identified one gene that confers a very high risk of breast cancer and may account for a large proportion of 'familial' breast cancer. Their aim is to identify additional predisposition genes and to determine their normal function in the cell, as well as the way in which they contribute to the development of cancer
KConFab - The Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium For Research Into Familial Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,176,975.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease of women. In families with an inherited form of breast cancer, nearly half the women in every generation can develop the disease. The aim of this Australasian-wide study is to complete collection of clinical, epidemiological and genetic data on 1,600 of these severely-affected families. The national resource is, and will continue to be, of great value for researchers who want to identify and characterize the genetic and life style factors that a ....Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease of women. In families with an inherited form of breast cancer, nearly half the women in every generation can develop the disease. The aim of this Australasian-wide study is to complete collection of clinical, epidemiological and genetic data on 1,600 of these severely-affected families. The national resource is, and will continue to be, of great value for researchers who want to identify and characterize the genetic and life style factors that affect onset and progression of the disease.Read moreRead less
Genome-wide Study Of Loss Of Heterozygosity Using High Density SNP Arrays To Identify Breast Cancer Predisposition Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,599.00
Summary
The genes responsible for the majority of breast cancer families remain unknown. The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can prevent the development of cancer and represent a class of gene known collectively as 'tumor suppressors'. One of the hallmarks of these genes is that they show loss of the normal copy of the gene in tumors that arise in individual carrying one inherited, mutated copy. The broad aim of this proposal is to exploit this phenomenon to identify novel tumor suppressor genes that predispose t ....The genes responsible for the majority of breast cancer families remain unknown. The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 can prevent the development of cancer and represent a class of gene known collectively as 'tumor suppressors'. One of the hallmarks of these genes is that they show loss of the normal copy of the gene in tumors that arise in individual carrying one inherited, mutated copy. The broad aim of this proposal is to exploit this phenomenon to identify novel tumor suppressor genes that predispose to familial breast cancer. This will be done by analyzing tumors from families that do not have either BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Candidate tumor suppressor genes will be identified when tumors from different individuals in the same family all appear to have lost one copy of a gene, and retained the same copy, in a particular chromosomal region. We study tumours from non-BRCA1-2 breast cancer families using genetic techniques that are able to rapidly and accurately identify which parts of the chromosomes have been lost. Families will be identified in which all the tumors have lost exactly the same part of the chromosome. Next, we will exploit the fact that the entire sequence of the human genome is completed to find out which genes are located within the candidate region. We will then apply other technologies to identify which of these 'candidate genes' is actually responsible for the cancer in that family. Following this, we will investigate other families with a history of breast cancer to see how many can be accounted for by mutations in this gene. It is possible that we may identify more than on breast cancer gene using this powerful approach. Identification of new breast cancer predisposition genes would have major clinical relevance to the families directly affected, and much wider relevance if the same gene (or pathway) is later found to be involved in the causes of other familial or sporadic breast cancers.Read moreRead less
Collaborative Ovarian, Prostate And Breast Gene-environment Study (COGS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,383.00
Summary
The EU-COGS application has arisen from genome wide scans that identify common genetic variants associated with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. Our studies contributed 50% of DNA samples to the prostate cancer genome wide scan. COGS will now measure these variants in a large number of cases and controls from an international consortium of studies to test whether genetic risks are modified by other genes or lifestyle factors. This will better define genetic risks and identify men at inc ....The EU-COGS application has arisen from genome wide scans that identify common genetic variants associated with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. Our studies contributed 50% of DNA samples to the prostate cancer genome wide scan. COGS will now measure these variants in a large number of cases and controls from an international consortium of studies to test whether genetic risks are modified by other genes or lifestyle factors. This will better define genetic risks and identify men at increased risk who should be the focus of appropriate screening and prevention strategies. Australian participation in the prostate cancer genome wide scan helped to identify a number of genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk. The aim of EU-COGS, which needs large numbers of samples with epidemiological, tumour pathology and clinical information, is to determine whether these genetic variants act singly or together and the extent to which lifestyle and environmental factors can modify the genetic risk. Our contribution of >10% of the total DNA samples to COGS will enable us to understand how such genetic risks can be modified in the Australian environmental context.Read moreRead less
Genome-wide SNP Analysis Of Fibroblasts Juxtaposed Or Distant From Epithelial Breast And Ovarian Tumours
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$401,763.00
Summary
In the past it was believed that the driving factor in the process of cancer devlopment was the cancer tissue itself. More recently however, it has become clear that the process is far more complex and that many aspects of human biology can profoundly influence both an individuals presiposition to cancer and the severity of disease. Many laboratories, including our own, have shown that gene mutations frequently occur in cancer tissue but recent studies have suggested that the apparently normal t ....In the past it was believed that the driving factor in the process of cancer devlopment was the cancer tissue itself. More recently however, it has become clear that the process is far more complex and that many aspects of human biology can profoundly influence both an individuals presiposition to cancer and the severity of disease. Many laboratories, including our own, have shown that gene mutations frequently occur in cancer tissue but recent studies have suggested that the apparently normal tissue surrounding the cancer (often referred to stroma) may also contain mutations. This so called 'cancer associated stroma'(CAS) is also thought to harbour genetic mutations and some studies have shown that without these mutations the cancer cannot survive. At present we have only had glimpses of the genetic alterations that may occur in CAS and there is an urgent need to fully understand the interplay between CAS and frankly cancerous tissue. Our laboratory will utilise high density, genome-wide screening technologies to search for novel mutations in CAS from breast and ovarian cancers. A complete understanding of the role stroma plays in cancer development is likely to lead to novel ways of treating and preventing cancer. Consequently, the identification of the full repertoire of stroma-derived cancer promoting genes is emerging as one of the most important areas in cancer research. The identification of these genes could lead to the development of novel diagnostic markers for use in cancer detection, diagnosis and-or prognosis.Read moreRead less