Over the last several years, breast
cancer prognosis has been improving tremendously. There are multiple different
types of breast cancer, which have seen improvement in their treatments, but
those diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer have a more a complicated
case. Triple-negative breast cancer is where the three most common types of
cell receptors that promote breast cancer are not present within the tumor. The
three common receptors for breast cancer include progesterone, estrogen, and
HER2 (nationalbreastcancer.org). With there being no specific receptor to
targeted treatment, those diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer
typically have a worse prognosis.
At the
University of Freiburg and Freiburg University Medical Center, researchers and
scientists from the BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies have been
researching a group of cells that are chemotherapy resistant and typically
responsible for cancer relapses and metastases (Metzger et al, 2017). The cells
are said to be similar to normal stem cells found within the body, structurally
and chemically.
Scientists
at the University of Freiburg have developed a model that allows for isolation
of these cancer stem cells provided by individuals diagnosed with
triple-negative breast cancer. From these samples, they have been able to
derive stem cell lines that replicate the original tumors of the patients.
Professor Dr. Roland Schüle and his team were able to use
the new model to test different inhibitors against the cancer stem cells, one
showing promise for treatment. The target was the epigenetic regulator KDM4,
which is typically associated with oncogenesis in multiple types of cancer
including triple-negative breast cancer (Chin et al, 2014). By targeting KDM4,
the scientists were able to prevent proliferation of the stem cells in multiple
stem cell lines, supporting this as a possible target to prevent further
metastases and a targeted treatment for those in early stages of
triple-negative breast cancer. The inhibitor also promoted molecular change to
the stem cells, causing them to no longer function as cancer stem cells.
Though
this study is just the beginning for triple-negative breast cancer treatment,
it supports for further testing to be done with multiple stem cell lines from
more individuals with this diagnosis. It provides a potential target for this
particular type of breast cancer as well as possibly could be attributed to
oncogenesis in other cancers as well.
References:
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) seems like an exciting niche in medicine where personalized medicine has the chance to shine! TNBC is a diagnosis that means the tumor lacks ER, PgR and HER2 receptors making these tumors “unique”. Why not used genomic testing of the tumor to see which tumors will respond well to conventional treatment and which will not?
ReplyDeleteTurns out this is exactly what is going on at MD Anderson Cancer Center! Dr. Ueno says his cancer program is carrying out genomic testing of TNBC tumors to figure out if he should use a novel treatment protocol (such as KDM4 targeting) before surgery so that patients have better outcomes. He is concerned that, currently, TNBC is treated as one specific type of disease when it is not. Using biomarkers to divide TNBC cases up by their disease characteristics will allow oncologists to choose the best personalized treatment for each patient.
Nathan-Garner, L. (2015, April). Triple-negative breast cancer: 5 things you should know. Retrieved October 13, 2017, from https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/cancerwise/2015/04/triple-negative-breast-cancer-5-things-you-should-know.html