BRCA NEWSWORTHY

It’s not over yet, but right now the courts have ruled for the people! My favorite article thus far is: click here to follow the link:

Invalidation of gene patents will benefit patients

The article was written 4/3/10 & comes from the website: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20100403/Invalidation-of-gene-patents-will-benefit-patients.aspx

If the ruling is upheld genetic testing & diagnosis will be open to more companies. Competition will put more players into the field & hopefully will be beneficial for patients.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

New Blood Test for Detecting Breast Cancer Comes Soon

reported by Cindie Leonard from Naturalnews.com

Please follow this link: http://www.naturalnews.com/z027324_cancer_brst_blood.html

Doctors & researchers are studying the risk of early breast x’ray vigilance for BRCA positive people & the risk of it causing radiation- induced breast cancer in this high risk group. Right now mammography is the standard tool that doctors use to screen for breast cancer lesions. A new blood test called BC-SERAPRO (it measures certain proteins in blood) is being developed to replace the mammography!

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

New drug olaparib offers hope to women with genetic breast cancer by David Rose

Follow this link: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6400852.ece

Olaparib is made by AstraZeneca & is being used in clinical trials to treat & or prevent cancer in high risk or BRCA families. They feel this drug is very promising in blocking the protein that makes cancer cells –causing only the cancer cell to either die or shrink. (BRCA patients have the mutated gene that is supposed to repair or fix damaged DNA—therefore when the repair doesn’t work properly mistakes in the DNA accumulate, do not repair & cancer develops.)

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

A lawsuit has been filed against Myriad Genetics & the Patent Office

This story has multiple links: If I understand it correctly, it goes like this:

This link explains a senate debate on 11/12/08 http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2008-11-12.32.1

There are three BRCA1 patents & one BRCA 2 patent in Australia. Myriad Genetics took out these 4 patents in the USA. Genetic Technologies LTD in Australia is the exclusive licensee of these patents. Therefore the MONOPOLY on BRCA testing!

The following two links further explain the lawsuit against MYRIAD GENETICS & the US Patent Office. Apparently, there is finally awareness & some people are outraged to know that there is a patent on BRCA gene research. This monopoly prevents further research by other interested parties. Myriad Genetics will argue that they have the rights to the patent & it enables them to invest in research & development of cures. The people (cancer patients, pathologists, & genetic researchers) feel that having more players involved will bring down costs to testing & research & cures. The lawsuit also challenges gene patenting in general.

Please feel free to add your comments people!

LINKS:

ACLU sues over patents on breast cancer genes from cnn.com on 5/13/09

By: Stephanie Smith & Caitlin Hagan http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/12/us.genes.lawsuit/

Cancer Patients Challenge the Patenting of a Gene from The NYtimes.com on 5/13/09

By: John Schwartz

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/13patent.html?_r=2&hp

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

‘Cancer-free’ baby born in London

Follow this link for more on this article: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/09/uk.cancerfree.baby/

Friday, 1/9/09 a very expensive genetically engineered baby girl was born in London, England free of the BRCA gene mutation.

This has become a very controversial subject! If an embryo has the BRCA mutation, it is discarded & not implanted in the mother. This becomes controversial because not everyone who has the BRCA gene mutation develops cancer.

WOULD YOU DO GENETIC SCREENING FOR YOUR EMBRYOS IF YOU COULD?

Feel free to leave your comments here…

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Breaking the Chain by Wendy Elliman

Follow this link for the entire awesome article!

http://www.hadassah.org/news/content/per_hadassah/archive/2008/08_Nov/medicine.asp

This past June, twins were born at the Hadassah Hospital in Israel without the BRCA gene mutation. Embryos free of the mutation were implanted in the mother enabling her to “break the breast cancer chain” in her family & give birth to BRCA free babies. Six other BRCA positive couples also had the genetically BRCA free embryos implanted using in-vitro fertilization treatment. One of these couples gave birth in September, & the other 5 couples are expecting soon!

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

How women cope with the results of BRCA testing for hereditary breast cancer

By Robert White

Follow the link for the entire article: http://www.topcancernews.com/news/1843/1/How-women-cope-with-the-results-of-BRCA-testing-for-hereditary-breast-cancer

Women with negative BRCA results had the lowest rates of worry & cancer related distress. Women who had inconclusive results (have no genetic mutation currently known to increase breast cancer risk) had similar levels of distress as those who tested BRCA positive. All women had less stress after being tested than before. The women with inconclusive results may still be at risk for breast cancer because of unrecognized mutations or other risk factors associated with family history of breast cancer. BRCA testing is stressful & best done with a genetic counselor who can help evaluate the results.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Latha Jishnu: Attack of the gene fiends

By Latha Jishnu / New Delhi 10/29/08

You can follow the link to get the entire story! http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=338616

This article was an eye opener for me. Apparently, the U.S. Patent & Trademark office hands out gene patents & the BRCA testing is done by a “monopoly” American company named Myriad Genetics (they own the patent). A similar thing is happening in Australia where Genetic Technologies, which licenses the breast cancer patents from Myriad, is insisting on similar patent restrictions.This blocks further research by any other company & with no competition there is no regulation on test costs & no competition for new discoveries. Women can’t even donate their mutated BRCA genes for research elsewhere because Myriad holds the patent. Litigation is also not realistic because it is too costly & time consuming. In Europe- the European Society of Human Genetics has suggested the focus should shift to who should develop genetic testing & what intellectual property rights they should have. This will free up more companies to research & develop new things to better our genetic health.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Genetic cancer marker brings tough choices

By VIKKI BROUGHTON HODGES

You can follow the link to get the entire story: http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20081028/ARTICLES/810280304/1053/sports

What I specifically liked about this article was the stress of the importance of early screening. 98% of women with early stage breast cancer survive, opposed to 26% in advanced stages. Early stage breast & cervical cancers are easiest to treat. It is suggested that women 40 years plus should have a yearly mammography & a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional. Women ages 20-29 are recommended to have a professional breast exam every three years & women 20 years plus should do their own monthly breast exam. Women with a history of breast & ovarian cancer should request a CA125 test as part of their gynecological exam. Pap smears check for cervical cancer. If breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family also discuss BRCA testing with your doctor.

BRCA NEWSWORTHY

Certain genetic traits increase incidence

By Ace Stryker at the Daily Herald

Follow the link for the entire story: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/286088/17/

An article telling us that BRCA gene testing costs approximately $3000.00 & is not always a covered insurance expense. However, having the gene mutation can “almost guarantee” an incidence of breast cancer in your lifetime. Knowing, allows you the choice of having a prophylactic mastectomy & or oophorectomys to overcome this risk. Men with the BRCA gene mutation are also at risk of breast & prostate cancer. Knowing they have the gene mutation allows them to be more vigilant about their health also.