Breast cancer: A new treatment avenue identified
Researchers at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia have identified a new avenue for treating breast cancer. In 20 to 30% of breast cancer patients, the over-expression of a particular protein (human epidermal growth factor-2) is the main cause of the proliferation of cancer cells. Over the past few years Herceptin® (trastuzumab) has become the standard treatment for this kind of cancer. While it is known that it blocks the activity of this protein, its exact mechanism of action has remained a mystery.
Professor John Stagg, a CRCHUM researcher, Professor Mark J. Smyth, with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia, and their colleagues* have discovered that in addition to blocking cell proliferation, Herceptin also stimulates the production of interferons, which in turn activate immune cells called lymphocytes.
This study further supports the view that the presence of lymphocytes in tumours enhances treatment success. In addition to revealing the precise workings of Herceptin, this study also showed that combining Herceptin with a therapy that stimulates lymphocytes greatly increases its efficacy in animals.
"These findings open another avenue for breast cancer treatment for nearly a third of all women who are affected," notes Professor Stagg, who is also affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Montreal and with the Institut du Cancer de Montréal. Clinical trials could get underway in the near future and pave the way for more targeted therapies.
Source: Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
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- Recurring cancers in women with a history of breast cancer differ from the original tumorsfrom Science DailyWed, 18 May 2011, 23:30:14 UTC
- Yoga improves quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapyfrom PhysorgWed, 18 May 2011, 22:30:34 UTC
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- Breast cancer: A new treatment avenue identifiedfrom PhysorgTue, 17 May 2011, 12:01:22 UTC
- New biomarker predicts breast cancer relapsefrom Science DailyMon, 16 May 2011, 18:30:30 UTC
- New biomarker that predicts breast cancer relapse foundfrom PhysorgMon, 16 May 2011, 17:00:34 UTC