The Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) Society in Harpenden has launched a medical research project. Pictured are Sinead Ward and Orla.

Debbie White Wednesday, June 19, 2013 6:01 AM

A NEW medical research project which has positive implications for people carrying a breast cancer gene recently highlighted by actress Angelina Jolie is being funded by a small national charity based in Harpenden.

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The Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) Society has launched the project as there are currently no treatments for A-T and because the condition is so rare, drug companies do not usually invest in research.

A-T is a devastating disease of children and young adults which progressively affects their co-ordination and ability to carry out everyday activities. It also brings a very high risk of developing life-threatening illnesses including cancers, especially leukaemia, lymphoma and lung disease.

About one in every 200 people carries the defective A-T gene and is at risk of having a child with the disease. And women who carry the gene are up to eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than other women.

The society, based at Rothamsted Research Centre, is, with charity the Thomas Appeal, jointly funding the project which began on June 1 at the Steve Jackson Laboratory in Cambridge.

The research uses cutting-edge cell biology and DNA sequencing technology to identify new approaches for treating Ataxia-Telangiectasia and slowing its progression.

A spokeswoman for the society said: The fact that this project potentially offers hope for women with hereditary risk of breast cancer as well as people with A-T makes it extremely significant.

See the rest here:
Harpenden charity funding research into defective gene

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