London, United Kingdom – A new study reveals that preventative therapy for breast cancer recurrence may inadvertently cause cancer cells to mutate and lay dormant, only to resurface years later. This phenomenon, where hormone therapies trigger changes in cancer cells, poses challenges for long-term treatment effectiveness and recurrence prevention.
The research, conducted by Professor Luca Magnani at The Institute of Cancer Research in London, focuses on understanding why breast cancer can return even after initial treatment. Hormone therapies, often prescribed for oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer patients, can lead to cancer cells entering a dormant state instead of being eliminated, making them more resistant to treatment in the future.
Magnani’s team identified a critical enzyme, G9a, that plays a key role in the ability of cancer cells to become dormant and evade therapy. By inhibiting this enzyme, researchers were able to prevent cancer cells from hibernating and effectively kill off those already in a dormant state, potentially offering new treatment options for patients at risk of recurrence.
Dr. Tayyaba Jiwani, science engagement manager at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, emphasized the importance of these findings in advancing innovative treatments to prevent breast cancer recurrence. While breast cancer survival rates have improved over the years, there are still significant challenges in addressing cancer recurrence and mortality rates.
With breast cancer being the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the UK, the need for targeted therapies to address recurrence risks is crucial. The study’s findings present a promising avenue for developing new treatment strategies to improve long-term outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Despite advancements in early detection and screening programs, thousands of women continue to face daunting challenges posed by breast cancer. By unraveling the complexities of cancer cell behavior and response to therapies, researchers aim to enhance the arsenal of treatment options available to patients, offering hope for a future where cancer recurrence can be effectively managed.