Both the type and location of mutations in BRCA2 significantly contribute to variation in breast cancer risk, according to research led by Katherine L. Nathanson, MD, of the Basser Center for BRCA. As the first population-based analysis of this type, the study’s findings will greatly inform risk estimates for women with BRCA2 mutations, which guide important decisions regarding screening and risk reduction strategies.

Experts from across oncology specialties shared some of the most talked-about abstracts and discussions from the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, including Ronny Drapkin, MD, PhD, Director of Gynecologic Cancer Research, on better understanding features of aggressive disease in early precancers. 

The BRCA mutation is five times more common in the Jewish community, especially among Ashkenazi Jews. “Increasing awareness of genetic testing could help avoid deaths from hereditary cancers,” said Susan Domchek, MD, Basser's executive director.

Basser cancer and surgery specialists Drs. Kara Maxwell, Daniel Lee, Jennifer Zhang, and Bryson Katona delve into the nuances of BRCA-positive breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers in men. This wide-ranging discussion encompasses BRCA heritability, diagnostics, screening, risks, and treatment options.

Katherine Nathanson, MD, director of Genetics at the Basser Center for BRCA, discussed new research on “reversion mutations” in BRCA1/2, which are secondary mutations that arise in response to therapy. The new comprehensive analysis helps researchers understand why some breast cancers treated with PARP inhibitors build up resistance to treatment after time.

Basser executive director Susan M. Domchek, MD and Abramson Cancer Center director Robert H. Vonderheide, MD, DPhil have been elected as Fellows of the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. Fellows are recognized and honored as extraordinary scientists whose groundbreaking contributions have driven significant innovation and progress in the fight against cancer.

Susan Domchek, MD, director of the Basser Center, will receive the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2025 ASCO-American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Katherine Nathanson, MD, the Pearl Basser Professor for BRCA-Related Research and deputy director of the Abramson Cancer Center, discussed new BRCA research she presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2024.

Patrick Sung, DPhil, of UT Health Science Center of San Antonio, is awarded the 2024 Basser Global Prize for his cutting-edge work in the field of DNA damage repair. “This type of basic science research is crucial to understanding how we—together, as a community of researchers and clinicians—can advance the care of individuals living with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations,” said Susan Domchek, MD, executive director of the Basser Center for BRCA.