Discovery of Genetic Alterations in Early-Onset Breast Cancer: A Study of Patients Aged 35 or Younger
Yale R. Kwon
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
Publication date: February 11, 2025
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, VA, USA
Publication date: February 11, 2025
DOI: http://doi.org/10.34614/JIYRC202442
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer in women under 35 years old tends to be more aggressive, with poorer survival outcomes compared to older patients. This study investigates genetic alterations associated with early-onset breast cancer to identify potential biomarkers for the disease’s severity in younger patients. Using the cBioPortal database, we analyzed genomic data from breast cancer patients aged ≤35, 35-75, and >75 to examine gene amplification, deletion, and mutation patterns. Functional predictions were performed using GeneMANIA. Our findings reveal key genetic differences, including COX5A mutations, ABCA gene family amplifications, and significant gene deletions on chromosomes 7p15.3 and 21q22.3, which may contribute to the aggressive nature of breast cancer in younger patients. These results highlight critical genomic regions and pathways that could serve as targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
Breast cancer in women under 35 years old tends to be more aggressive, with poorer survival outcomes compared to older patients. This study investigates genetic alterations associated with early-onset breast cancer to identify potential biomarkers for the disease’s severity in younger patients. Using the cBioPortal database, we analyzed genomic data from breast cancer patients aged ≤35, 35-75, and >75 to examine gene amplification, deletion, and mutation patterns. Functional predictions were performed using GeneMANIA. Our findings reveal key genetic differences, including COX5A mutations, ABCA gene family amplifications, and significant gene deletions on chromosomes 7p15.3 and 21q22.3, which may contribute to the aggressive nature of breast cancer in younger patients. These results highlight critical genomic regions and pathways that could serve as targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
