Screening method for predicting susceptibility to breast cancer
A method to aid in identifying a familial or sporadic pattern of risk in at least one individual for developing cancer of a mucosal epithelial tissue, the method comprising screening said at least one individual for heterozygosity or homozygosity for a mutation in a gene coding for a Poly-Ig (Fc) receptor or a Poly-Ig-like (Fc) receptor capable of mediating inhibition of cancer cell growth by an immunoglobulin inhibitor. A method of treating an individual so identified includes enhancing the amount of immunoglobulin inhibitor contacting a mucosal epithelial tissue of said individual, and, especially in individuals homozygous for the defective receptor, may also include prophylactic surgery. Other methods include implementation of a risk reduction or prevention program in individuals identified as being at risk.
1. A method to aid in identifying a familial or sporadic pattern of risk in at least one individual for developing breast cancer, the method comprising screening said at least one individual for a mutation in a gene coding for a Poly-Ig (Fc) receptor capable of mediating inhibition of cancer cell growth by an immunoglobulin.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said screening comprises determining heterozygosity or homozygosity for said mutation.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said screening comprises determining loss of heterozygosity in the D1S58 locus of chromosome 1.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said screening comprises detecting an allelic imbalance in the D1S58 locus of chromosome 1.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein screening a control group of individuals known or believed to be at low risk for developing said cancer.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein a predictive relative risk of developing said cancer is in the order homozygous individuals >heterozygous individuals >control individuals.
7. The method of claim 1 comprising screening for a defect in at least one additional gene that is associated with cancer or with an increased risk of developing cancer.
8. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining a tissue specimen from said at least one individual and testing cells in said specimen for germ line mutations in said gene.
9. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining a breast cancer specimen from said at least one individual and testing breast cancer cells in said specimen for somatic mutations in said gene.
10. The method of claim 1 comprising obtaining cells from breast fluid and testing said cells for a molecular change in a somatic cell gene coding for a mediator of estrogen reversible cancer cell growth by an immunoglobulin inhibitor.
11. The method of claim 10 comprising detecting a premalignant molecular change in said gene.