Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. About 10% of clinical cases are “BRCA gene mutation breast cancer”. In the past, there was no precise treatment plan for this type of gene mutation breast cancer. Traditionally, chemotherapy is usually used to deal with it. With the development of medical technology, in recent years, the medical community has developed a targeted drug called “PARP inhibitor” that specifically targets BRCA gene mutation-type breast cancer. It is more effective and safer than traditional chemotherapy and is expected to bring new treatment hope to suitable patients.
The general public is no stranger to breast cancer, but they may not have a very clear concept about “BRCA gene mutation breast cancer”. Generally speaking, human cells will grow and reproduce through the process of “cell division” to produce new cells needed by the body. When the DNA in the cells is damaged, normal genetic cells have mechanisms to repair the DNA so that the cells return to normal and continue Reproduction, there are also mechanisms to stop the replication, growth and division of damaged DNA cells. However, the patient loses the ability to repair DNA, causing damaged cells to grow uncontrollably and form cancer. Dr. Li Shuya Zhou, a specialist in clinical oncology, explained that the “BRCA gene” is a tumor suppressor gene, responsible for repairing damaged DNA and suppressing cancer. If the body’s BRCA gene develops a pathogenic mutation, it will lose its function of repairing damaged DNA.
“Everyone has two dual alleles of the BRCA gene. If both dual alleles of the BRCA gene have pathogenic mutations, cancer will develop. The patient can inherit a pathogenic mutation gene from his or her father or mother, and as the disease progresses, cancer will develop. Growth, environment or other influences cause mutations in the other BRCA gene to cause cancer, which is mainly breast cancer, but may also be other cancers, such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer.”
There is a 50% chance that BRCA gene mutations will be passed on to children
Dr. Zhou Li Shuya added that if a father or mother carries a related mutated gene, their children have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene, but they may not necessarily develop cancer. However, their risk of developing cancer in their lifetime will be higher than that of those who do not inherit the gene. The person is tall.
If patients with BRCA gene mutation breast cancer reach the advanced stage, they may spread to the liver, bones, lungs, and even the brain. For example, when the cancer metastasizes to the bones, some patients will have bone pain, and some parts may even be affected. Spinal nerves can cause paralysis of the patient’s hands and feet, leading to symptoms such as fatigue and inability to move. Patients should seek medical advice as soon as possible if they are in doubt.
When dealing with different types of breast cancer, doctors will try their best to adopt targeted drug treatment options. For example, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer can be controlled through anti-hormonal treatment, and HER2-positive breast cancer can be controlled through targeting HER2 receptors. Targeted drugs are used as treatment options; however, BRCA gene mutation breast cancer has always been mainly treated through traditional chemotherapy. It was only in recent years that this situation changed.
PARP inhibitors help continue treatment for appropriate patients
The medical community has discovered in recent years that PARP inhibitors can target BRCA gene mutations and help control the growth of cancer cells: Under normal circumstances, cells have multiple DNA repair mechanisms, including PARP-dependent repair and BRCA-dependent repair. When BRCA pathogenic gene mutations lead to loss of BRCA-dependent repair function, cells will instead use PARP channel repair, allowing cells with damaged DNA to continue to divide and grow. If both repair pathways are blocked, cancer cell growth can be prevented.
Dr. Zhou Li Shuya continued to explain: “If cells have a BRCA gene mutation and PARP is inhibited at the same time, this combination will cause the two repair mechanisms to be blocked at the same time, so that cancer cells activated by the BRCA gene mutation will not be able to grow. Research results show that the survival time of patients with diffuse BRCA gene mutation breast cancer after using PARP inhibitors is 7 months, while the survival time using traditional chemotherapy is approximately 4.2 months.
Grandma Chen (pseudonym), who is in her 80s, was diagnosed with disseminated breast cancer earlier. The tumor cells had spread to the lungs. After examination, she was found to have BRCA gene mutation breast cancer, so she can be treated with targeted PARP inhibitors. plan. Grandma Chen took the medicine for half a year, not only effectively controlling the growth of the tumor, but also having no obvious side effects during the process. In her free time, she can continue to take care of her family, walk around with her husband, buy vegetables and cook, and maintain a certain quality of life.
Remark:
Dr. Zhou Li Shuya reminded that different people have different effects of treatment, as well as different side effects and risks. Patients should discuss with the attending doctor and choose the most suitable treatment plan based on their personal conditions, including physical condition, illness, affordability, etc. .
Clinical oncologist Dr. Zhou Lishuya hopes that the new drug regimen can extend the treatment hope for patients with BRCA gene mutation breast cancer.
2024-04-04 22:00:56
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