Genetic background influences disease risk from single-gene variants

(Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard) Life can change dramatically when someone learns they are genetically predisposed to a disease. But these kinds of predictions are complicated: not everyone carrying such high-risk single-gene variants develops the condition. Researchers have now identified how a person's genetic background, in addition to any high-risk variants they carry, influences the risk of disease for three different conditions. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest ways to more accurately interpret patients' genetic risk of disease.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news