Women with breast cancer could have their treatment improved by an existing chemotherapy drug. Studies on animals showed that carboplatin, used to treat ovarian and lung cancers, could be a 20 times more effective therapy in treating breast tumors caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Around 5% of the 41,700 cases diagnosed in Britain each year occur in women whose relatives had the disease. 75% of these women will have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Women who inherit these genes will have up to an 85% chance of developing the disease by the age of 70. Research showed that BRCA2 mutations are 20 times more sensitive than normal to carboplatin, and that BRCA1 tumors are between 5 and 20 times more sensitive. Tests started recently on women with these kinds of mutations will determine which of the 2 standard chemotherapy agents for the disease, carboplatin or docetaxel, is more effective. If this study shows the same results for women as it did for animals, carboplatin will be given to breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations within 5 years. "This trial is unique because it is the first to treat a specific genetic population of breast cancer patients. It is also unusual for a drug to move directly from studies in the lab to trials with patients so quickly," said Dr James Mackay, a genetic oncologist at University College London, leader of the study. "But, because this is an established drug which is routinely used for the treatment of ovarian cancer, it has moved swiftly into trials and could be available to patients within 5 years if it proves to be effective."