Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine have discovered a treatment for breast cancer metastasis to the brain, using existing drugs.
With 2.3 million diagnoses in 2020, breast cancer remains the world’s most prevalent cancer. Although certain factors such as family history, alcohol intake, obesity, and age increase breast cancer’s risk, more than half of the cases in women have no identifiable risk factor. While there is no cure for the disease, early detection and treatment can significantly reduce recurrence and death in patients. However, breast cancer metastasis increases the chance of relapse and death. When cancer spreads to the brain, it is often highly aggressive with limited treatment options.
There are inadequate treatment options for people with breast cancer that has spread to the brain and research focused on expanding treatment options is urgently needed.
Professor Leonie Young, the study’s Principal Investigator.
Recently, a team of researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre (BRCC) conducted a study for a potential treatment for breast cancer metastasis. The team genetically tracked tumours in brain cancer patients, from development to metastatic spread. Their research revealed defects in DNA repair within half of the tumours. Thus, researchers suggest using PARP inhibitor drugs against such cases.
Previously, PARP inhibitors have helped treat several cancers, as well as myocardial infarction and stroke. These drugs inhibit the enzyme, poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) that typically helps repair DNA damage within cells. Using these existing drugs will prevent cancer cells from repairing their DNA; thus, resulting in the death of cancer cells.
According to study author Dr. Damir Varešlija, their study opens the door to effective treatment strategies for patients with limited options. However, the results will need to be confirmed using further clinical studies.
Findings of the study are available in the journal Nature Communications.
Reference:
Cosgrove, N., et al. (2022) Mapping molecular subtype specific alterations in breast cancer brain metastases identifies clinically relevant vulnerabilities. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-27987-5.
