Scientists have developed a promising single-dose treatment for breast cancer that holds the potential to completely eliminate small tumours and shrink large ones, that too without any side effects. Published in the journal of ACS Central Science today (January 22), scientists discuss this innovative approach in this latest study.
Researcher Paul Hergenrother and colleagues improved upon their earlier research that involved development of a small molecule called ErSo which had the potential to kill ER+ breast cancer cells but could cause side effects. In 2022, the researchers synthesized a series of small molecules similar to ErSO which had higher potency.
In the latest study, the researchers further evaluated one derivative,
ErSO-TFPy
, and found its amazing effect on breast cancer tumours. It not only effectively killed multiple human ER+ breast cancer cell lines in culture, but didn’t cause harmful side effects, in species like mice, rats and beagles.
Shrank transplanted human breast tumors of various genetic backgrounds in mice.
How cancer regression is achieved
The scientists found that a single dose of ErSO-TFPy in mice could lead to complete or near-complete regression of small or large tumours, respectively, that had developed in the animals.
What’s different about this drug is that it causes negligible side effects as unlike other treatments, it doesn’t require long-term dosing but a single dose is enough to eliminate or shrink tumours significantly.
Further human studies would be required to see if this treatment holds potential for ER+
breast cancer treatment
in humans.
Other drugs require long-term dosing, but the researchers suggest that a lone dose of ErSO-TFPy and therefore minimal circulation in the body could help reduce the risk of side effects and late effects. They acknowledge the need for more testing to confirm drug safety and efficacy, but they suggest if these results translate to human patients, ErSO-TFPy could be transformative for ER+ breast cancer treatment. ER+ breast cancer is breast cancer that contains estrogen receptors (ERs). ERs are proteins that bind to estrogen hormones, which can stimulate cell growth.
Traditional treatment for breast cancer
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy are typically used to treat breast cancer. Most people begin their breast cancer treatment with surgery. Additionally, radiotherapy is a common treatment for breast cancer. It uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is another common treatment for breast cancer and uses anti cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Hormones can stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and hormone therapy can block or lower the amount of hormones in the body. One of the most common types of
hormone therapy for breast cancer
is tamoxifen.
Common side effects of breast cancer treatment
Breast cancer treatment can cause various side effects depending on the type of therapy. Surgery may lead to pain, swelling, or limited range of motion, while chemotherapy often causes fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and neuropathy. Radiation therapy can result in skin irritation, swelling, and fatigue, whereas hormone therapy may trigger hot flashes, weight gain, joint pain, or mood swings. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies may cause skin reactions, flu-like symptoms, or diarrhea. While these side effects can be challenging, they are often manageable with medical guidance and support.
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