Cancer cells in the blood could be the key to personalized breast cancer treatment, according to groundbreaking research. Scientists from the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Michigan have developed a method to identify specific biomarkers in patients' blood, potentially revolutionizing the way breast cancer is treated. This approach could spare patients from unnecessary, aggressive treatments and help doctors make more informed decisions based on individual risk factors.
The study, published in Science Advances, focuses on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a type of early-stage breast cancer that hasn't spread. While DCIS patients often have a good prognosis, there's a risk of the cancer becoming invasive. Current treatment guidelines recommend aggressive interventions like surgery, radiation, and anti-hormonal therapy for all DCIS patients, despite the lack of an accurate way to predict individual outcomes. This approach can lead to unnecessary treatments and potential side effects.
The research team, led by Fariba Behbod, Pharm.D., Ph.D., and Sunitha Nagrath, Ph.D., developed a 'labyrinth chip' to capture cancer cells from blood samples. This chip separates cancer cells from other blood components, allowing for detailed genetic analysis. By examining the genes expressed in cancer cells from both blood and breast tissue, the researchers identified four subtypes of cancer cells, two of which were present in significant amounts in the blood.
These subtypes were associated with disease progression, chemotherapy resistance, and immune evasion. The study also revealed a correlation between race and cancer cell presence, with Black patients showing higher levels of cancer cells and immune suppression, which may contribute to higher breast cancer mortality rates. This finding highlights the importance of considering environmental factors in cancer research.
The team's next steps involve transplanting cancer cells into mice to study their behavior in a secondary site and track disease progression. This research has the potential to personalize breast cancer treatment, ensuring that patients receive the most effective interventions based on their individual risk profiles. The study's findings emphasize the need for further research to refine these biomarkers and develop targeted treatment strategies.
