Breast cancer: New test aims to help predict more aggressive type that can spread to the brain

B.C. researchers may have developed a test that can show how likely it is for breast cancer to spread to the brain.

The test looks for high levels of a gene called alpha beta crystallin.The protein is expressed in some aggressive breast cancers.

"It is expressed by some breast cancers and when they do express it, they are more able to get into the brain"said Dr. Torsten Nielsen, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and a genetic and anatomy researcher with the B.C. Cancer Agency.

Researchers studied close to 4,000 breast cancer patients and found that those with the active gene were three times more likely to have cancer that spread to the brain ending in death.

The test would help women with basal-likebreast cancer, a type of cancer that can bemore dangerous than others.

"Fortunately now most women with breast cancer are cured.We are in the 70 to 80 per cent range," said Nielsen.

"It is this left over group of 15 to20 percent basal breast cancerthat we don't have targeted drug forand this gene expressed in most, perhaps describing why they might be sodangerous," he said.

The test needs further development before being put to routine use, but researchers are hopeful it will help identify women who are more at risk.

The study was published in the journal Nature, with funding from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the U.S. National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research U.K. and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

To hear the full interview listen to the audio labelledNew test might predict likelihood of breast cancer spreading to brain on CBC's Daybreak North.