New Approach to Combat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most challenging types of cancer, with patients facing poor survival rates. The primary reason for this is the rapid spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, a phenomenon known as metastasis. In a recent study published in Cancer Discovery, researchers have identified a new therapeutic approach that could help stop the spread before it begins, offering hope for patients to overcome this deadly cancer.

Understanding the Role of Chromosomal Instability

The problem with cancer lies in the malfunction of cell division, where chromosomes—the genetic bundles carrying genes—are copied and distributed unevenly among new cells. This malfunction leads to a state of chromosomal instability, resulting in an unhealthy number of chromosomes in cancer cells, which enhances their ability to spread.

The new study challenges the common notion that treatment should increase cell division errors to push cancer cells towards death. Instead, the findings reveal that restoring order to the cell division process by targeting a protein called EZH2 can prevent them from spreading.

Linking Epigenetics and Metastasis

The study found that about 5% of cells in primary triple-negative breast cancer tumors possess unique characteristics that make them more prone to spreading. These characteristics include increased chromosomal instability and changes in epigenetics—modifications affecting DNA or associated proteins without altering the genetic code itself.

Elevated production of the EZH2 protein leads to the silencing of key genes necessary for proper chromosome division, causing significant cell division errors. By analyzing patient data, researchers discovered that high levels of EZH2 are associated with greater chromosomal changes, providing evidence for subsequent laboratory experiments.

Chromosomal Chaos and Its Impact

Researchers revealed that EZH2 silences a gene called Tankyrase 1, which typically ensures the mechanisms responsible for correctly separating chromosomes during cell division function properly. This results in the accumulation of another protein called CPAP, causing the structures responsible for pulling chromosomes apart to multiply uncontrollably, leading to incorrect cell divisions.

The study demonstrated that inhibiting EZH2 significantly restores balance, reducing metastasis in preclinical models. This link between EZH2 and chromosomal instability is a crucial achievement in understanding how cancer operates.

Conclusion

This study offers a promising new approach to treating triple-negative breast cancer by targeting the root cause of metastasis. EZH2 inhibitors could be the first drugs to directly suppress chromosomal instability. These new discoveries pave the way for clinical trials to test EZH2 inhibitors in high-risk cancers and potentially other types of cancer with chromosomal instability. This achievement marks a significant step toward improving patient outcomes and increasing survival rates.