Researchers claim breakthrough in fight against breast cancer

SCIENTISTS have identified the gene behind one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer in a breakthrough that could bring lifesaving new treatments.

Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease and nearly a quarter of patients diagnosed will not survive for more than five years.

Researchers at Cambridge University and the Wellcome Trust’s Sanger Institute have found that the BCL11A gene is overactive in eight out of 10 patients.

The study opens the door for therapies that suppress the gene and for screening that would pick up the risk early when women still have time to opt for lifesaving mastectomies.

“Our gene studies in human cells clearly marked BCL11A as a driver for triple-negative breast cancers,” said Dr Walid Khaled of the University of Cambridge.

About 10 000 people a year are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.

The disease does not respond to breast cancer drugs such as Herceptin and is one of the most aggressive types.

Just 77% of people with triplenegative breast cancer will survive for five years, compared with 93% for other types of the disease.

For the new study, researchers looked at the genetic profile of tumours from 3 000 patients, specifically searching for genes that affect how stem cells and tissues develop.

Higher activity of the BCL11A gene, found in about eight out of 10 patients, was associated with a more advanced grade of tumour.

To test the theory that the gene was promoting tumour growth, scientists genetically engineered mice to have inactive copies. None of these animals developed tumours in the mammary gland, whereas all untreated animals developed tumours.

“This exciting result identifies a novel breast cancer gene in some of the more difficult-totreat cases,” said Professor Carlos Caldas, director of the Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit at the university.

“Finding a novel gene that is active in cancer should also help in the search for new treatments.”

The breakthrough was welcomed by charities, which said it could lead to new targeted treatments.

Dr Christopher Runchel, research officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “While this investigation and the discovery of a new gene driver for triplenegative breast cancer was mostly confined to cell lines and mice, this work could prove promising in the search for new ways to treat this form of the disease.

“Triple-negative breast cancer is particularly aggressive and does not respond to hormonal therapies such as tamoxifen, or targeted drugs like Herceptin.

“That’s why the hunt for effective treatments is so important,” Runchel said. —

Triple-negative breast cancer is aggressive and does not respond to hormonal therapies