Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Therapy

Two new medications, when combined, destroyed up to 75% of breast tumor cells in mice and inhibited the regrowth of tumors, according to researchers.

The findings, published online November 14, 2005, in the journal Cancer Biology and Therapy, may also have implications for lymphoma, prostate cancer, myeloma and various other hematologic cancers. Paul Dent, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and radiation oncology, from the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center (Richmond, USA), led the study. This new study supported 2002 research that demonstrated early success in the lab and more recently was tested in animals.

In this new study, investigators combined two novel drugs, UCN-01 and a MEK 1/2 inhibitor, which are known to inhibit protein kinases, part of tumor survival signaling pathways. "In addition to potently inhibiting cells and suppressing tumor growth, these drugs are also part of a modern class of drugs that are less toxic to non-cancerous cells,” said Dr. Dent. "We are eager to move these exciting findings from the labs to patients.”

When evaluated separately, the drugs only killed a small amount of the cells to which they were exposed. Combined, however, the result was quite remarkable. "Within five days, we saw profound tumor cell death,” Dr. Dent remarked. "Three researchers in the group operated the same studies independently, and they all saw very similar results.”



Related Links:
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center