Drug may slow 'Jolie gene' cancer risk

Women with the "Angelina Jolie gene" could be closely monitored for their breast cancer risk and potentially avoid drastic surgery, research suggests.

The British study found that women with the inherited faulty BRCA1 gene may be able to take the drug mifepristone to slow down the turnover in the cells that put them at risk of triple negative breast cancer.

Mifepristone acts by blocking the effects of progesterone and is used for medical abortions where pills are taken to end the pregnancy.

According to the NHS, women with the faulty BRCA1 gene have a 65-79 per cent lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 36-53 per cent risk of ovarian cancer before the age of 80.

The research, published in Genome Medicine, was funded by the European Research Council and the gynaecological cancer charity the Eve Appeal.

Researchers led by Professor Martin Widschwendter at the University of Innsbruck and University College London found a "signature" of markers on DNA (called DNA methylation) that can indicate and help monitor the risk of breast cancer.

The researchers used the WID-Breast29 test on samples taken from the breasts of women both with and without the BRCA gene alteration, who were taking mifepristone at low doses.

All the women without the gene were found to have lower levels of progesterone, which is thought to help drive breast cancer at high levels, and cell turnover.

The effect was also seen in about three-quarters of the women with a BRCA gene alteration.

Experts hope these women with the faulty gene could be targeted with mifepristone to slow down their risk of developing breast cancer and keep their progesterone levels lower.

In turn, this could mean they could delay or potentially avoid the need for a mastectomy.

At present, women with the BRCA1 gene fault can opt to have both breasts removed to cut their cancer risk, something Hollywood actor Jolie chose.

"We are really excited about the prospects these findings open up for improved breast cancer prevention," Widschwendter said.