Researchers from Saint Louis University have identified a molecular pathway that contributes to triple-negative breast cancer. Women who are born with BRCA1 gene mutation are at increased risk for developing breast cancer and the cancer is often the hard-to-beat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It is increasingly prevalent in younger women. Healthy BRCA 1 genes produce proteins that help repair double strand DNA damage.
The researchers identified a critical DNA repair factor known as 53BP1 that is impaired when BRCA1 stops working properly. The good news is that vitamin D could restore high levels of the protein. Although it is called ‘vitamin’ D, the compound usually works in the body as a hormone; hence its extremely potent effects. In previous research covered in Cancer Watch scientists showed vitamin D could repair the damaged DNA too.
Researchers suggested the vitamin D treatment might be joined by PARP inhibitors, which help repair single-strand DNA damage. The team also identified several protease inhibitors as possible new therapies (The Journal of Cell Biology)
Readers might also like to read about Indole 3 Carbinol and DIM and their effects with TNBC.
For Indole 3 carbinol/DIM Click here.