Breast cancer genetics: what we know and what we need.
Breast cancer results from genetic and environmental factors leading to the accumulation of mutations in essential genes. Genetic predisposition may have a strong, almost singular effect, as with BRCA1 and BRCA2, or may represent the cumulative effects of multiple low-penetrance susceptibility alleles. Here we review high- and low-penetrance breast-cancer-susceptibility alleles and discuss ongoing efforts to identify additional susceptibility genes. Ultimately these discoveries will lead to individualized breast cancer risk assessment and a reduction in breast cancer incidence.
Nathanson
K L
KL
Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Wooster
R
R
Weber
B L
BL
Nathanson
K N
KN
D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors