Aggressive Breast Cancer Has a New Weakness, Study Finds
Summary
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have found a new way to make an aggressive type of breast cancer, called triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), more treatable. They used drugs to block two proteins that help the cancer cells survive, making the cells vulnerable to a type of cell death called ferroptosis, which stopped tumor growth in lab and animal studies.Key Facts
- TNBC lacks estrogen, progesterone receptors, and excess HER2 protein, limiting treatment options.
- TNBC grows and spreads faster than many other breast cancers and often resists hormone or HER2-targeted therapies.
- Researchers developed an experimental drug to block the protein LOX inside TNBC cells.
- They used the FDA-approved drug leflunomide to block another protein called DHODH.
- Blocking both LOX and DHODH made the cancer cells vulnerable to ferroptosis, a process of cell death caused by toxic damage.
- This combination therapy significantly stopped tumor growth in preclinical tests without major side effects.
- Tumors with high LOX and DHODH levels were linked to worse survival, suggesting these proteins could help predict which patients might benefit.
- The treatment is not yet available for patients as it needs more testing in clinical trials.
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