Trials of a new anti breast cancer drug have raised hopes that women with a high chance of the disease have an alternative to preventive mastectomies.
Melbourne researchers are studying if a medication used for osteoporosis can switch off the cancer-causing cells in those with a BRCA gene mutation.
Carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have between 40 and 60 per cent chance of developing breast cancer.
Around 20 per cent of these women opt for breast removal surgery.
Researchers from The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) will test a drug called denosumab on 30 women with the BRCA gene fault.
The women will receive four injections of the medication over three months.
Researchers will then compare breast tissue samples collected before and after treatment.
The trial has raised hopes for Sydney mum-of-three Krystal Barter, founder of charity Pink Hope.
Ms Barter, who has the BRCA1 mutation, the same gene fault carried by actress Angelina Jolie, is fearful that her daughter might carry the gene fault.
"To have researchers devoting their time to a gene that's inside me, and potentially inside my children, it gives us a lot of hope for what the future holds," said Ms Barter, who at 25 opted to have both breasts removed.
"It might be five or ten years but it could potentially be for my daughter and that's something that is incredible.
"Imagine one day when my daughter goes and has a gene testing and I can say to her `you don't have to worry, you can have an injection and it will be all fine'.
"That's really amazing for a mum to think that."
Dr Sheau Wen Lok, associate investigator of the research study, said as far as the research team is aware it's the first time this drug has been trialled in humans for this purpose.
The research team previously discovered that a cell type - called "progenitor" cells - in normal breast tissue appears to be the culprit cell that leads to cancer in BRCA1 carriers.
The current study will test if denosumab can turn off the progenitor cells.
For BRCA carriers, risk reducing options including screening, prophylactic surgery or regularly taking a drug called tamoxifen, which has been shown to cause bothersome side effects for some women.
"This drug we are working on does have its side effects but it has a different side effect profile to tamoxifen," Dr Lok said.
"It possibly will offer another option for women."
Researchers are looking for 30 women who are BRCA carriers who are planning to undergo a risk-reducing mastectomy or are prepared to undergo two breast biopsies.
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