A genetic phenomenon called kataegis is a positive marker in breast cancer, since patients with these "hot spots" of mutation have less invasive tumors and a better prognosis. This has been discovered by researchers from the University of California (UC) School of Medicine in San Diego and the Moores Cancer Center in the United States using a genomic database of human tumors.

The study, published this Thursday in 'Cell Reports', suggests that kataegis could help clinicians determine treatment options that might work best for patients with the mutation pattern. More information.