New drugs for breast cancer affected women
Research by Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, UK shows that 1 out of 5 women suffering from breast cancer can be treated by PARP inhibitors. This makes it 10,000 women a year in UK. Once approved as a cancer-drug, it can potentially change the lives of many women patients all over the world. PARP inhibitors are also believed to treat common types of breast cancer.
What are PARP inhibitors?
PARP (Poly ADP ribose polymerase) inhibitors repair the DNA structure in faulty genes and suppress the tumour. Olaparib is a PARP inhibitor that is used to treat ovarian cancer.
The drug's effect on cancer
More types of breast cancer can now be treated by PARP inhibitors. These forms of the cancer are biochemically comparable to the rare cases of mutation of BRCA genes. Without mutation, BRCA1 and 2 genes are tumour suppressing genes or caretaker genes. If the clinical trials are successful, the drug can also be helpful in treating other forms of cancer like prostate cancer.
Clinical trials of the drug
These formulations are available only for clinical trials among women in UK. It may take some time for the PARP inhibitors to be approved as cancer drugs. The results have so far been effective and their approval could mean efficient cancer treatment for one out of five women affected by breast cancer.
Population and Breast Cancer
Currently, approximately 12% (1 out of 8) women in US and 15% in UK are likely to develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. Women in Europe mainly Belgium, Denmark and UK, North America and Oceania are mostly affected by breast cancer. HRDetect- a computer software helps in detecting genetic errors causing breast cancer and helps in the long run.
Preventing Cancer
A test like this and an early detection can help in treating various genetic forms of cancer. A healthy lifestyle and abstaining from tobacco and excess alcohol are also known to be helpful in prevention of cancer.
