FGFR2 Breast Cancer

FGFR2 Breast Cancer is more common in women than many know. The mutation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), is found in one out of six women and carries a 60% increased risk of breast cancer. FGFR2 belongs to a family of membrane-bound receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). FGFR mutations have been shown to both facilitate tumor growth and suppress tumor growth, according to a study published by the International Journal of Biological Sciences. Women who carry one default copy of FGFR2 have a 20% increased risk of breast cancer, while those with two default copies, the one in six women, have up to a 60% greater chance of the illness. Testing for gene mutations like FGFR2 can help women understand their risk for breast cancer and understand their treatment options.

FGFR2 Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer

Genomic and genetic testing can be done to help patients with breast cancer better understand their cancer prognosis and also what treatment options will be most beneficial for them. Testing can also help people with a family history of breast cancer understand their risk for the disease. Genetic testing for patients with breast cancer is recommended by the American Cancer Society for patients who were diagnosed at a younger age with triple negative breast cancer, patients who have been diagnosed with cancer a second time, and if a patient has a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, or prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about getting genetic testing for breast cancer.

FGFR Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

FGFR2 Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Genomic and genetic testing can also help patients find more targeted treatments in the form of clinical trials that are built to focus on specific gene mutations. Some gene mutations are resistant to different treatments and more receptive to others, so understanding genomics can be helpful in improving cancer prognosis.

There are currently two recruiting clinical trials in the United States designed to treat breast cancer patients with an FGFR2 mutation. They are using these specific drugs:

• TAS-120
• Fulvestrant
• RLY-4008

Resources:

https://www.newscientist.com/articles

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles1/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles2

https://breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/articles

https://www.cancer.org/breast-cancer/