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A high school science project inspires researchers to focus on fingerprints
as
possible genetic marker for increased risk of breast cancer
Toronto – Identifying women at increased risk of breast cancer may one day be as
easy as taking a fingerprint.
Dr. Linda Cook of the Alberta Cancer Board and the University of Calgary has
received funding from the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative to complete
a one-year project Digital Dermatoglyphics and a Family History of Breast
Cancer.
“It is well known that there is a genetic component to breast cancer. Two genes
(BRCA1 and BRCA2) have been identified as genetic links, but these account for
only a small proportion of cases,” says epidemiologist Dr. Cook. “We have some
evidence from a small study to suggest that a family history of breast cancer
might be associated with a specific fingerprint pattern. If we do find an
association, fingerprints might potentially be used for screening or to guide
future research.”
This novel idea has direct roots in a Calgary science fair project of Breanne
Everett and Caitlin Hicks. The two grade twelve students knew that fingerprints
have been studied as diagnostic indicators for genetic diseases such as
schizophrenia. To see if a distinct fingerprint could also indicate increased
risk of breast cancer, the students used a free software program from the FBI
and analyzed the fingerprints of volunteers.
Their study, while rudimentary, did show promise (and captured first place at
the science fair). A University of Calgary researcher judging the science fair
put the students in touch with Dr. Cook. With the students as junior
collaborators, Dr. Cook applied and was awarded a $40,000 grant from the
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative to conduct a formal study on the
novel diagnostic indicator.
Fingerprints of women 20 to 69 years of age from the Calgary Health Region will
be used to assess whether a right loop thumb print pattern is more likely to
indicate a first degree family history of breast/ovarian cancer than an arch,
whorl, tent, or left loop thumb print pattern. The local Calgary Police
Department has offered to train the researchers in expert fingerprinting methods
to obtain the best quality samples.
“If we get positive results from this study, further research would then be
warranted to start to address the underlying biology and genetics of this
relationship, “says Dr. Cook, “as well as the value of dermatogylphic traits in
predicting breast cancer risk.”
“The CBCRI is pleased to support Dr. Cook and her young collaborators as part of
our IDEA Grants Program,” says Dr. Marilyn Schneider, executive director of the
Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative. “CBCRI supports novel ideas such as
this with small grants. If this project pays off, it could ultimately lead to
big dividends for women.”
About CBCRI IDEA Grants
On April 1, 1999 the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI) launched
a new program to stimulate innovation, the IDEA Grants program. IDEA Grants fund
highly innovative, speculative research projects that challenge existing
paradigms. The grants are based on solid science and have the potential for
advancing scientific knowledge. The expectation is that these ideas, once
explored, may lead to the development of proposals for feasibility grants or
operating grants. To date, CBCRI has funded 25 IDEA grants for Canadian
researchers.
About CBCRI
Established in 1993, the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative is Canada's
primary funder of breast cancer research. To date, CBCRI has contributed $80.5
million to support 277 research grants. As a unique partnership of groups from
the public, private and non-profit sectors, CBCRI is committed to reducing the
incidence of breast cancer, increasing survival, and enhancing the lives of
those affected by the disease. CBCRI partners include the Avon Flame Foundation,
the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, the
Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health
Canada and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.
Source :
http://www.fp.ucalgary.ca/unicomm/news/April_02/fingerprints.htm