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This video is brought to you by the EpiFemCare project team and focuses on epigenetics and
cancer. It's been known for some time that some cancers
can occur because of genetic mutations: changes to the sequence of DNA within our genes.
In breast cancer, for example, mutations in the gene for p53 result in the loss of cells'
ability to repair DNA and can contribute to cancer development. But it is becoming clear
that it is not just genetic mutations that contribute to cancer development. It is also
how our genes are controlled. Epigenetics literally means on top of or in
addition to our genes. The EpiFemCare project is focusing on the most common epigenetic
change, called DNA methylation. This is the addition of a CH3 molecule - or methyl group
- to the DNA. Epigenetic changes can control whether our
genes are switched 'on' or 'off'. Erroneous epigenetic events, such as too much
methylation at genes important for maintaining healthy cells, are very much a feature of
cancer. As a tumour grows, DNA is released into the
blood and can be collected easily.
The EpiFemCare project will use new technologies to identify differences in patterns of DNA methylation between women with and without
cancer. We will develop a non-invasive cancer detection
test that finds these cancer unique 'epigenetic' changes.
Our aim is to improve on current methods of screening, diagnosis and personalised care,
including the CA125 test used to help diagnose and monitor ovarian cancer.
The EpiFemCare test will be both: - specific to breast and ovarian cancers;
and - reliable
Thereby improving clinical care for women with these cancers.
The EpiFemCare project is partially funded by the European Commission's Framework Programme
7. The next video explores the project in more detail.