Breast cancer breakthrough brings hope

[maureenho]

Breast cancer breakthrough brings hope

Scientists identify a key molecule in the deadliest form of breast cancer which could help them develop drugs which eliminate tumours

By Laura Donnelly, Health Editor

6:01AM BST 04 Jul 2014


Breast cancer patients have been given new hope after a scientific breakthrough which could lead to a future wonderdrug to treat the most deadly cases.

Researchers have identified a molecule which helps tumours grow and spread – and which can be targeted by anti-body drugs, to eradicate tumours.

Scientists said they believed that the treatment, in conjunction with the drug Herceptin, could help around 4,000 women a year who are diagnosed with the most aggressive type of breast cancer.

The molecule, known as alpha v beta 6, could be used both to identify at-risk patients and develop new treatments, say scientists.

A study examined breast cancer samples and found high levels of the molecule in 40 per cent of tumours in women with HER2 positive breast cancer, a form of the disease that does not respond to conventional hormone therapy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10944180/Breast-cancer-breakthrough-brings-hope.html