FORCE's eXamining the Relevance of Articles for You (XRAY) program looks behind the headlines of cancer news to help you understand what the research means for you.
XRAY is a reliable source of hereditary cancer research-related news and information.
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Keyword: PALB2
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may increase risk for endometrial cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations
A Dutch study added further evidence that women with a BRCA1 mutation may have an elevated risk for endometrial cancer. The study found that the endometrial cancer in women with either a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation was more likely to be an aggressive form of cancer associated with a poor outcomes. (posted 11/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Genetic testing for inherited mutations may be helpful for all people with advanced or metastatic cancer
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with metastatic or recurrent cancer
In a study of nearly 12,000 cancer patients with a variety of cancers, eight percent of participants with metastatic cancer had an inherited mutation in a cancer gene that qualified them for a targeted treatment approved by the FDA or for participation in a clinical trial. The majority of people with metastatic cancer were unaware that they had an inherited mutation, and had not receive gene-directed treatment to which their tumor may have responded. The study authors suggest that genetic testing for inherited mutations may be warranted for all patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. (posted 9/30/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Frequency of inherited mutations linked to breast cancer are similar in Black and white women
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Non-Hispanic Black and white women with breast cancer
The CARRIERS study looked at the rate of inherited mutations in women with and without breast cancer. In an extension of the CARRIERS study, researchers found no difference in the frequency of inherited mutations in breast cancer genes among Black and white women with breast cancer. A few individual genes differed in frequency: BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations were seen more often in Black women, while CHEK2 mutations were seen less often. Researchers concluded that race should not be used to determine who is referred for genetic testing. (posted 8/13/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Cancer risks of people with inherited PALB2 mutations
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: people with inherited PALB2 mutations
In the largest study of people with inherited PALB2 mutations to date, the gene was linked to increased lifetime risk of breast cancer in women and men, ovarian and pancreatic cancer but not prostate or colorectal cancer. (posted 7/1/21)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Patient outcomes and experiences of going flat
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women considering mastectomy without breast reconstruction.
Some patients with early-stage breast cancer or those considering risk-reducing surgery may choose mastectomy without reconstruction. This is often referred to as “going flat.” The results of this study suggest that surgeons play a significant role in supporting a patient’s decision to go flat. (3/23/2021)
Este artículo está disponible en español.
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Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : Inherited gene mutations found in pancreatic cancer families in Spain
Relevance: Medium
Strength of Science: Medium
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer and a family history of pancreatic or other cancers
This study looked for inherited mutations in genes known to be linked to hereditary pancreatic cancer. The results provide additional evidence that most hereditary pancreatic cancer is due to inherited mutations in genes that were previously associated with other forms of cancer. (10/29/20)
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Study : Among women with breast cancer, who should have genetic testing for an inherited mutation?
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who do not know if they have an inherited mutation in a gene linked to breast cancer
Which breast cancer patients should consider genetic testing? Knowing whether you have an inherited mutation may inform the decisions you and your healthcare provider make about treatment. But it can also increase stress and anxiety. This XRAY reviews a study of how different guidelines affect genetic testing recommendations for people with breast cancer. (8/27/20)
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Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Study : Promising research using a PARP inhibitor to treat metastatic breast cancer in people with an inherited PALB2 mutation or a tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2
Relevance: Medium-High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Human Research
Most relevant for: People with metastatic breast cancer with an inherited mutation in PALB2 or tumor with a BRCA mutation
Early results of a small study showed that women with metastatic breast cancer and an inherited mutation in PALB2 or an acquired tumor mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 benefitted from the PARP inhibitor olaparib (Lynparza). (6/18/20)
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Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Study : What is the risk for a new breast cancer diagnosis in the other breast for women with a BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53 mutation?
Relevance: High
Strength of Science: Medium-High
Research Timeline: Post Approval
Most relevant for: Women diagnosed with breast cancer who have a mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53
For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, knowing their risk of breast cancer in the other (contralateral) breast can help them make decisions about surgery and screening. This study shows that women with an inherited mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2 or TP53 have an increased risk for contralateral breast cancer. This risk is highest in women with a TP53 mutation. (6/6/20)
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Update : PARP inhibitors, rucaparib (Rubraca) and olaparib (Lynparza) receive FDA approval for metastatic prostate cancer
Most relevant for: Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have certain inherited or tumor mutations in DNA repair genes
The FDA approved two PARP inhibitors, rucaparib (Rubraca) and olaparib (Lynparza) for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in men who have certain inherited mutations or tumor mutations. (6/1/20)
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