Breast Cancer Prevention Test

Summary

The breast cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in Chilean women, which is why research in this area is of extremely relevant to understanding the disease, seeking treatments and designing methods that allow for conducting risk assessments and practicing preventive oncology.

Professor Pilar Carvallo, from the School of Biological Sciences, has been researching breast cancer for 20 years and has identified specific mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes among the Chilean population. She leads the research team that has developed a new genetic test that detects the mutations present among our population, thereby making it possible to prevent hereditary breast cancer. These genes are also associated with ovarian cancer incidence.

There are currently genomic sequencing methods that allow us to determine the predisposition of a woman to develop this type of cancer, however, they are quite costly and are not covered by the public health system. Using the PCR technique to conduct the test could significantly lower its cost, which in turn would facilitate its wide-spread application.

Advantages

● This new test will give women the possibility to access valuable information that will allow them to assess their risk of suffering from breast or ovarian cancer and take preventive measures in time.

● Test results are available in less time than the alternative currently available on the market (genome sequencing).

Development Status 

TRL 3 – Proof of Concept (Laboratory)

Researchers

• Pilar Carvallo, UC School of Biological Sciences.
• Carolina Alvarez, UC School of Biological Sciences.