New Molecular Predictors of Spread of Breast Cancer Identified

Researchers at Georgetown University's Lombardi Cancer Center, have identified two molecular predictors of breast cancer metastasis that may ultimately lead to tests that will help doctors determine how likely a woman's breast cancer is to spread.

The researchers made their discovery by following 330 women with non-metastatic breast cancer for 30 years after surgical treatment of the disease.

They reported finding that high levels of the proteins matriptase and HAI-1 appeared to be predictors of breast cancer that was likely to spread and cause early death. They also found that the presence of proteins c-Met and HGF are associated with the spread of cancer.

Currently, physicians have no precise way of knowing which women's breast cancer will later spread.

"Most women diagnosed with breast cancer that has not spread to their lymph nodes would do well in the absence of chemotherapy, but because physicians lack tools to precisely identify those women least likely to relapse, they often over-treat patients," said Dr. Robert Dickson, professor of oncology.

"This research may lead us to a place where we can test tissues taken during surgery and rule out a group of women whose cancer is unlikely to spread, saving them and their loved ones the added health and financial burdens associated with chemotherapy," Dickson said. "The research may also lead us to a new targeted way to treat cancers at risk of spreading."

Other sources: Georgetown University