Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Identifying the Effects of BRCA1 Mutations on Homologous Recombination using Cells that Express Endogenous Wild-type BRCA1
08:53

Identifying the Effects of BRCA1 Mutations on Homologous Recombination using Cells that Express Endogenous Wild-type BRCA1

Published on: February 18, 2011

16.2K

The Long and Winding Road toward Prevention of Estrogen Receptor-Negative and BRCA1-Associated Breast Cancer

Andrea DeCensi1, Matteo Lambertini2,3

  • 1Breast Department, Clinical Cancer Center, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal.

Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|March 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

New research shows RXR agonists, like IRX4204, may prevent ER-negative and BRCA1-associated breast cancer by delaying tumor onset. Further trials in BRCA1 carriers are suggested to assess safety and effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Endocrine prevention is effective for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.
  • No current pharmacologic strategies exist for preventing ER-negative and BRCA1-associated breast cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of RXR agonists in preventing ER-negative and BRCA1-associated breast cancer.
  • To explore the immunomodulatory mechanisms of RXR agonists in cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized BRCA1-deficient and triple-negative mouse models.
  • Administered RXR agonists, specifically IRX4204, to assess tumor onset delay.
  • Investigated potential immunomodulatory effects.

Main Results:

  • RXR agonists, including IRX4204, demonstrated a delay in tumor onset in relevant mouse models.
  • Suggests a potential preventive role for RXR agonists through immunomodulation.

Conclusions:

  • RXR agonists show promise for preventing ER-negative and BRCA1-associated breast cancer.
  • Further research, including window-of-opportunity trials in BRCA1 carriers, is warranted to assess biomarker modulation and tolerability.
  • Translational challenges include biological uncertainty, sociocultural barriers, and safety concerns.

More Related Videos

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair08:15

gDNA Enrichment by a Transposase-based Technology for NGS Analysis of the Whole Sequence of BRCA1, BRCA2, and 9 Genes Involved in DNA Damage Repair

Published on: October 6, 2014

11.6K
Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland06:29

Modeling Breast Cancer via an Intraductal Injection of Cre-expressing Adenovirus into the Mouse Mammary Gland

Published on: June 7, 2019

12.1K

Related Concept Videos

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
12.6K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.2K
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
4.9K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
6.5K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
6.2K
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
81