Breakthrough: Molecule which causes quick spread of breast cancer identified

Finally, there is a breakthrough. Scientists have identified the molecule which causes cancerous cells to grow and spread faster, making them hard to treat.

As a result of the findings, new treatment to stop the spread of breast cancer will commence. Scientists are confident they can use an existing drug to stop the cancer. The discovery offers hope for women diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, which tends to spread far more quickly than other types.

Researchers from the Bart’s Cancer Institute at Queen Mary University of London conducted the study. They hope that in future women could have tumour biopsies to check for the presence of the molecule.

If found, they would be offered the existing drug – which is mainly only used in trials – alongside Herceptin.

Early studies on mice have shown that the combination of these two treatments eradicates the tumours.

The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, looked at tumour samples provided by 2,000 women with breast cancer.

About 40 per cent of them were found to contain this molecule – known as αvβ6.

In further experiments on mice, they used another treatment called 264RAD to target this molecule and found it completely eradicated the tumours.

Dr John Marshall, from Queen Mary, who led the study said: ‘High αvβ6 levels could be tested for in routine biopsies to identify which women are at a high risk of metastasis, (cancer spreading), ensuring these women can receive personalised treatment, improving their chances of survival.’

They will now carry out trials on women to test how well this treatment works alongside Herceptin.

If successful, it is hoped the treatment would be routinely available within the next ten years.