We tried to validate all nine candidate genes in with semi-quantitative real-time RT-PCR but only PPARGC1A showed consistent stabilisation of mRNA transcript across replicates of Family B in individuals affected by breast cancer and not in their healthy family members (Figure 4 and Additional File 3, 9, Additional File 4, Additional File 5, Additional File 6, Additional File 7, Additional File 8). Here, PPARGC1A is linked to breast cancer.