Researchers find changes in blood proteins up to two years before breast cancer diagnosis
Researchers in the Netherlands have found changes in the levels of particular proteins in the blood of people up to two years before they were diagnosed with breast cancer. This is indicated by the Trial Early Serum Test Breast cancer (TESTBREAST) study, presented at 13th European Breast Cancer Congress (EBCC).
According to the results of the study, published in “European Journal of Cancer”the investigation could constitute basis of blood tests for people with a genetic predisposition o Family history of breast cancer to ensure the disease is diagnosed as early as possible when the chances of survival are greatest.
The TESTBREAST study was started in 2011 and currently includes 1174 women at high risk of breast cancer, either because of their family history or because they carry genetic variants known to increase their breast cancer. risk. Women are cared for in nine hospitals in the Netherlands, where they undergo breast screening tests at an earlier age and more regularly than the rest of the Dutch population who are at medium risk of breast cancer.
The study has been running for ten years, and the female participants have taken blood samples at least once a year when they get tested. Anyone who develops breast cancer will also provide samples upon diagnosis.
The researchers used a technique called mass spectrometry to analyze the levels of different proteins in the blood of women. They looked for both variation between different women and changes that arise in individual women over time.
So far, researchers have performed detailed analyzes of 30 blood samples taken over time from three women diagnosed with breast cancer and three women who did not develop breast cancer, andfound clear differences among women over time. This revealed a set of six proteins that were at their highest or lowest levels a year or two before diagnosis.
The researchers will now validate their findings in a larger group of women with and without breast cancer participating in the TESTBREAST study and in women participating in other high-risk breast cancer research studies.
Adam woman
Written by Adamed Woman
