New Breakthrough in Treating Aggressive Breast Cancer
A recent study has uncovered a potential new approach to treating an aggressive form of breast cancer that disproportionately affects young women. Researchers have identified a previously overlooked molecule in the body, which could be key to developing more effective treatments for this challenging disease.
The study focused on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a type of RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in regulating gene behavior and distinguishing healthy cells from those that are not. Scientists from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island examined records from 11,000 cancer patients to explore the role of these molecules in various forms of cancer.
During their research, the team discovered a specific lncRNA called LINC01235, which had previously been associated with stomach cancer. They found that this molecule may be fueling the growth of breast cancer cells, particularly in cases of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Understanding Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease that does not respond to standard hormonal therapies. This makes it particularly difficult to treat and often leads to poorer outcomes. The study tested the hypothesis by using gene editing techniques to 'turn off' LINC01235 in TNBC cells. The results showed that cancer cells without this molecule grew more slowly and were less capable of forming tumors.
Experts believe that LINC01235 activates another gene called NFIB, which has been shown to increase the risk of TNBC. NFIB then influences how cells grow and develop, potentially leading them to become cancerous. By deactivating LINC01235, researchers hope to inhibit the spread and growth of tumors.
David Spector, one of the study's researchers, emphasized the significance of these findings. He stated that the goal is to identify lncRNAs that could serve as therapeutic targets for TNBC. This could lead to new treatment options for the approximately 10 to 15 percent of breast cancer cases that are triple-negative.
The Impact of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, affecting around 316,000 individuals each year in the United States and causing about 42,000 deaths. Of these, up to 47,000 cases and 6,300 deaths are attributed to triple-negative breast cancer. This form of the disease is characterized by the absence of receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2, making it resistant to traditional hormone-based therapies.
While early detection can lead to survival rates over 90 percent, the prognosis worsens significantly when the cancer spreads to lymph nodes or other organs, dropping to as low as 15 percent. Triple-negative breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in Black women and those under 40, and its prevalence is increasing alongside other cancers such as colon and lung cancers.
Research Methodology and Findings
In the study published in Molecular Cancer Research, tumor samples were collected from breast cancer patients in New York and used to create organoids—small models of tumors. These were compared to healthy tissue samples, revealing that breast cancer tumors had significantly higher levels of LINC01235 than healthy tissue.
The researchers then used CRISPR, a gene-editing technology primarily tested in head, neck, gastrointestinal, and brain cancers, to deactivate LINC01235. The results showed that tumor growth slowed when the molecule was turned off, suggesting that LINC01235 contributes to the proliferation of breast cancer cells.
They also hypothesized that LINC01235 activates the NFIB gene, which is most strongly linked to TNBC. It is believed that NFIB suppresses the expression of p21, a protein that normally inhibits cell growth. Without this suppression, cancer cells can proliferate unchecked.
Wenbo Xu, a graduate student at Stony Brook University and lead researcher, stated that their findings demonstrate that LINC01235 positively regulates NFIB transcription. The team believes these discoveries could be the first step in utilizing CRISPR technology to develop targeted treatments for triple-negative breast cancer.
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