Descriptive Biomarkers for Assessing Breast Cancer Risk

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine if exfoliated epithelial cells present in breast milk can be used to assess a woman's individual risk of developing breast cancer and to detect early signs of breast cancer. To accomplish this goal we are collecting breast milk samples from 250 lactating women who either have had a breast biopsy or are scheduled for a breast biopsy. We are isolating the epithelial cells and determining the DNA promoter methylation patterns of several tumor-suppressor genes that are frequently methylated in breast cancer. During the first year we have been extremely successful with subject recruitment and sample collection and processing. We have completed Tasks 1 through 4 and have made significant progress on Tasks 5 and 6. We have not encountered any problems and remain on schedule.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA527587

Entities

People

  • Kathleen F. Arcaro

Organizations

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • African Americans
  • Biological Markers
  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cells
  • Databases
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Environment
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Methylation
  • Neoplasms
  • Skin Diseases
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistics
  • Task Forces
  • United States

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