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New breakthrough in breast cancer research: resistance defeated!
Researchers at the University of Marburg are discovering new therapeutic strategies against resistant breast cancer cells, supported by the SUCCESS program.
New breakthrough in breast cancer research: resistance defeated!
A recent study led by Dr. Niklas Gremke and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Stiewe at the Philipps University of Marburg specifically sheds light on resistance to breast cancer therapies. The aim is to kill specific breast cancer cells that have resisted modern therapeutic approaches. According to the researchers, these resistant tumor cells activate the mTOR signaling pathway, which promotes cell growth and spread.
As part of this study, a crucial weak point was discovered: tumor cells that have inactive autophagy show increased sensitivity to drugs that disrupt energy metabolism, such as metformin. This therapy leads to a critical deficiency of the amino acid aspartate, which ultimately leads to cell death of the resistant breast cancer cells. This opens new perspectives for the management of breast cancer, especially for patients with a poor prognosis.
Development of new therapeutic strategies
An analysis of over 1,100 tissue samples additionally identified two prognostically relevant biomarkers that indicate impaired autophagy. This shows that patients with these biomarkers could potentially benefit from metabolic therapies. The interdisciplinary research team uses modern methods such as CRISPR/Cas9 and metabolomics analyzes to develop new approaches to overcoming resistance by specifically influencing cell metabolism.
The results of this study are a valuable contribution to precise cancer medicine, which is becoming increasingly important. The researcher Dr. Gremke is pursuing this innovative research as part of the SUCCESS program, supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and various foundations. The scientific article was published in the specialist magazine “Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy”.
Targeted therapies in focus
Targeted cancer therapies that differ from traditional chemotherapy are becoming increasingly important. These innovative approaches target specific target structures in cancer cells and protect healthy cells. They can be crucial, particularly in breast cancer, as they often block the receptors or inhibit signaling pathways that influence tumor and blood vessel growth. Various approved therapies, from HER2 antibodies to immunotherapies, can be used specifically to increase the chances of recovery.
The approvals for breast cancer therapeutics vary between curable and non-curable metastatic situations. Approved therapies include, but are not limited to:
| Therapeutics | Special features | Side effects |
|---|---|---|
| HER2 antibodies | Trastuzumab, pertuzumab | Allergies, flu-like symptoms, heart problems |
| Antibody-drug conjugates | T-DM1, trastuzumab deruxtecan | Nausea, fatigue, hair loss |
| Tyrosine kinase inhibitors | Lapatinib, neratinib | Diarrhea, skin rashes |
| mTOR inhibitors | Everolimus | Infections, inflammation of the oral mucosa |
| CDK4/6 inhibitors | Palbociclib, Ribociclib | Neutropenia, diarrhea |
In recent years, the number of oncology medications available in Germany has increased significantly, from 70 in 2002 to over 290 today. The developments in molecular diagnostics and precision oncological therapy are seen as a reaction to the constant advances in tumor biology. Current figures show that the chances of recovery have increased for many patients. Around 50% of oncology patients can now hope for a permanent cure, which is due to the constant improvement in therapeutic approaches.
Given these developments, it remains to be seen how the innovative research at Philipps University and the continued development of targeted therapies will change the landscape of cancer treatment in the future.