New biomarkers for breast cancer

Recently, Queensland scientists have identified a gene "switch" that can predict whether breast cancer will spread. The QIMR Berghofer Institute of Medical Research found that a specific RNA (ribonucleoprotein) molecule (miR-139-5p) is absent in aggressive cancers.

Dr. Nicole Cloonan said that this finding may be better for prognostic analysis of breast cancer patients, and eventually the development of new treatment methods. Essentially, this particular gene fragment or miR-139-5p in our genetic program is usually like an "emergency brake," ensuring that our cells continue to reproduce normally.

But now that this "emergency brake" miR-139-5p is not present in aggressive breast cancer, the "emergency brake" in cancer tests will be a definitive marker predicting whether the tumor may spread. .

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The long segment of the patient's survival depends on when the cancer is diagnosed. Once the metastasis occurs, the patient's 5-year survival rate is only 21%. Dr. Cloonan said: We know that primary breast cancer kills patients with very few deaths, and that aggressive tumor spread or metastasis is the main cause of poor prognosis.

This study has a wide range of impacts. Although scientists now focus on the "emergency brake" microRNA in breast cancer, the "emergency brake" miR-139-5p may also be missing in malignant liver cancer, stomach cancer, brain cancer and skin cancer. The newly discovered miR-139-5p was once recognized as a "junk" in our genetic programs. But in recent years, scientists have recognized his role in promoting cancer.