The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 gene (NRF2) plays important roles in cellular defense, tumor suppression, and oncogenesis. However, little information is available on the polymorphisms of NRF2 and their clinical relevance. We aimed to investigate the relationship between NRF2 and breast cancer risk. We developed a rapid genetic testing method for the detection of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (c.‒617C>A) in the antioxidant response element-like loci of human NRF2 that is involved in the antioxidation effect. One hundred forty-six breast cancer patients and 101 controls were enrolled in this study. The genotype distributions in controls were 88 for CC/CA (87％) and 13 for AA (13％). In contrast, those in breast cancer patients were 138 for CC/CA (95％) and 8 for AA (5％). The genotype distributions in breast cancer patients differed significantly from those in controls (P<0.040, adjusted OR＝2.55; 95％CI: 1.02‒6.40). The SNP is not associated with the expression levels of HO‒1 and CYP2A6 or the survival of breast cancer patients. These results suggest that this SNP of human NRF2 is a potential biomarker for breast cancer susceptibility.

The BINDS I program (Basis for Supporting Innovative Drug Discovery and Life Science Research), which played a crucial role in the development of the infrastructure for drug discovery and life science research in academia, was implemented from April 2017 to March 2022 in the Drug Discovery Project of AMED. The BINDS II program was designed and established to be conducted over a period of 5 years, starting from April 1, 2022, with the aim of addressing the challenges in drug discovery within academia identified in BINDS I and further improving the efficiency of and accelerating drug discovery. The objectives of the project are to facilitate the practical application of the results of basic research conducted by universities and research institutes and contribute to the promotion of life science research in general. The remit of the promotion of science within BINDS II is not limited to pharmaceutical research and development. BINDS II aims to foster the development, maintenance, and sharing of advanced research infrastructure, including advanced technologies and facilities that contribute to the development of life science research in a wide range of fields. The program actively provides and shares key technological infrastructure, including synchrotron radiation facilities (SPring-8 and Photon Factory), cryo-electron microscopes, compound libraries, and next-generation sequencers. Furthermore, it enables external researchers involved in life science and drug discovery research to request support from researchers with expertise in cutting-edge technologies related to structural biology, protein production, chemical seeds, structural modifications and expansion, omics analysis, and in silico screening. BINDS II received requests for assistance at twice the rate of BINDS I. To continue to provide support at this pace, it will be necessary to further develop the infrastructure, develop new technologies, and introduce new drug discovery systems to increase research efficiency.