University of California, San Diego
$50,000 Tower Career Development Grant
Research Title:
Anti-Neu5c Antibodies for Breast Cancer Detection
Early diagnosis of breast cancer with mammograms saves lives. Unfortunately, mammography is not as effective in women younger than 50. New tests that work in women of all ages are needed.
Research has found a special type of sugar, called Neu5Gc, in breast cancer. Cancer, and our bodies, are unable to make this sugar, but it is plentiful in the diet and can be absorbed when eaten. Once incorporated into breast cancer cells, this abnormal sugar causes a reaction by the patient’s immune system.
This project will examine this reaction as a potential new test to diagnose breast cancer.