Potential Breast Cancer Drug Target Identified

Researchers have identified a potential new breast cancer drug target, possibly opening doors for the development of effective new treatments for the disease.

A paper published in EMBO Molecular Medicine details an investigation whereby scientists examined tumour tissue microarrays from more than 100 patients.

Scientists wanted to determine whether levels of the protein Ret (rearranged during transfection) were linked with poorer patient outcomes.

They administered antibodies to quantify concentrations in the samples, and cross-referenced levels against survival of the participants.

Analysis revealed that Ret levels are positively correlated with early death risk, suggesting that inhibition of the protein could improve survival.

Professor Nancy Hynes of the University of Basel explained that experimentation in mice suggested that Ret inhibitors could improve outcomes.

"Blocking Ret kinase not only decreases the growth of tumours, but also affects the potential of the cancer to spread throughout the body," she said.

Many drugs currently used to treat breast cancer target oestrogen, inhibiting its binding to the oestrogen receptor, a process which promotes cell proliferation.