ACLU Challenges Patents on Breast Cancer Genes

Publication
Article
OncologyONCOLOGY Vol 23 No 7
Volume 23
Issue 7

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law filed a lawsuit charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer stifle research that could lead to cures and limit women’s options regarding their medical care.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law filed a lawsuit charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer stifle research that could lead to cures and limit women's options regarding their medical care. Mutations along the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for most cases of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. The lawsuit argues that the patents on these genes are unconstitutional and invalid.

Articles in this issue
What Is the Optimal Initial Treatment of Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer (and Why Is It Controversial)?
What Is the Optimal Initial Treatment of Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer (and Why Is It Controversial)?
Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Treatment Options and Patient Perceptions
Can Risk-Adapted Treatment Recommendations Replace the ‘One Size Fits All’ Approach for Early-Stage Thyroid Cancer Patients?
Prophylactic Central Lymph Node Dissection: Continued Controversy
Music Therapy
Music Therapy
LHRH Antagonists vs LHRH Agonists: Which Is More Beneficial in Prostate Cancer Therapy?
Is There a Role for LHRH Antagonists in Prostate Cancer?
Important Considerations in LHRH Antagonist Therapy for Prostate Cancer
The Role of LHRH Antagonists in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Maintenance Therapy With Pemetrexed Improves Overall Survival in Advanced NSCLC
PARP Inhibitors Show Promise for Hard-to-Treat Breast Cancers
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine Significantly Prolongs Disease-Free Survival for Follicular Lymphoma
Vaccine Improves Response Rate and Extends Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Melanoma
‘Natural’ Hormone Replacement and Breast Cancer Risk: Evidence for Safety and Efficacy
Phase IIIB Trial of Intermittent Degarelix Therapy Launched
Recent Videos
Oncologists are still working on management strategies for neuropathy; a common adverse effect related to chemotherapeutics for ovarian cancer.
Genetic testing information can be used to risk-stratify ovarian cancer survivors for breast cancer, particularly those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Genetic testing for ovarian cancer may help inform treatment decisions for patients with advanced disease, particularly regarding PARP inhibitor use.
Leading experts in the breast cancer field highlight the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and other treatment modalities.
Patients with node-negative disease who are older and have comorbidities may not be suitable to receive CDK4/6 inhibitors.
An observed carryover effect with CDK4/6 inhibitors may reduce the risk of recurrence years after a patient stops treatment.
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