Scientists make major discovery

Breakthrough Breast Cancer scientists have made a major step towards answering one of the fundamental questions in breast cancer research – where the disease originates. This raises hope of new targeted treatments for women with breast cancer in the future.

The study, published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell, shows for the first time that the most aggressive and hard-to-treat types of the disease are likely to arise from intermediary, or progenitor, cells. The results run counter to the commonly-held theory that breast cancer originates in stem cells. This is hugely significant in directing future research into combating the disease.

Study leader Dr Matt Smalley, from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, said: “These results represent a major advance in our understanding of breast cancer. It means we can now look very closely at where the disease forms and which genes are involved in that process. This knowledge will greatly improve the chance of finding effective new targeted treatments for breast cancer patients in the future.”

For more information visit: http://breakthrough.org.uk/media_centre/news_views/origins.html