Genome Center researchers involved in study which reveals novel genetic variants that may protect Latinas from breast cancer

A new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, has identified a gene variant that is present in many Latina women, and which may help protect against breast cancer. The study involved contributions from Genome Center member, Assistant Professor Luis Carvajal-Carmona and Anna Marie Tuazon, a graduate researcher in Luis's lab. Regarding the work, Luis commented:

This study was led by our long standing UCSF collaborators, Drs. Elad Ziv and Laura Fejerman, who used a genome-wide association study to identify a protective variant for breast cancer in US Latinas. Our contribution to the study was to validate the effect of the protective variant in our studies in South America, where it decreased the risk of breast cancer by nearly 50%. Our Genome Center group is now leading a similar study in South America and we expect to report our results early next year. This Nature Communications study is very important for many reasons as new gene discoveries in breast cancer will lead to better diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore,  it shows that by focusing on new populations like Latinos/Hispanics we will have the opportunity to find new causes of cancer. Funding for our studies on breast cancer was provided by UC Davis, the NIH, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and GSK Oncology.

This story has been widely reported in many international news outlets, including:

• New York Times — Genetic Variant May Shield Latinas From Breast Cancer
• The Wall St Journal — DNA Said to Protect Hispanic Women From Breast Cancer
• SF Gate — Genetic variant helps protect Latinas from breast cancer
• Time — Study Links Latina Women With Gene That Lowers Breast Cancer Risk
• Latin Times — Breast Cancer In Hispanic Population: Does Gene Variant Protect Latinas? Study Says Yes
• New York Daily News — Gene may protect Latinas from breast cancer
• healthline.com — Ancient Gene Mutation Reduces Breast Cancer Risk in Some Latina Women by 80 Percent

Anna Marie Tuazon and Luis Carvajal-Carmona (source Carvajal-Carmona lab website)