Development of Comet-FISH Method for Rapid Identification of Persons at Risk for Breast Cancer Development

摘要

Certain women appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer. As compared with the general population, the first degree female relatives of breast cancer patients have been reported to have a 2- to 3-fold increase in breast cancer risk, which could be due to shared genetic and/or environmental components, and suggest a heterogeneity of population at risk(l). To date, no biomarker has been available which could be used to identify individuals at high risk(2). The major emphasis of this study is the development and validation of a novel Comet-FISH technology that would combine the simplicity, accuracy and specificity of these 2 single cell assays. This assay would be used specifically to detect genetic instability at certain breast cancer associated genetic loci. Since the carcinogenic process generally is associated with genetic instability, we hypothesised that individuals who are prone for instability at certain breast cancer associated genetic loci will be at more risk for breast cancer development.