A “promising” novel medication has emerged that could improve survival rates for women diagnosed with the most aggressive type of breast cancer, according to a study. Known as CDDD11-8, this oral medication functions by inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells specifically, without adversely impacting normal, healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy.
University of Adelaide researchers suggested that it could emerge as a groundbreaking choice for individuals diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Theresa Hickey remarked, “This represents a promising advancement in combating triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive variant of the disease. Presently, there is no therapy tailored to this subtype of breast cancer, with chemotherapy and, in certain cases, immunotherapy being the sole alternatives.”
“The findings of this research indicate that this medication may be pivotal in enhancing survival rates.” Annually, approximately 55,000 women and 400 men receive a breast cancer diagnosis, with triple-negative breast cancer accounting for 15% of cases. The term “triple-negative” refers to the absence of three specific receptors: the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In other types of breast cancer, these receptors transmit signals to cancer cells, promoting their growth.
Typically, the majority of breast cancer therapies operate by addressing these receptors, rendering triple-negative breast cancer particularly challenging to treat. The recent research, published in Oncogene, assessed the efficacy of CDDD11-8 in targeting triple-negative breast cancer. Originally designed to combat acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer, this medication inhibits cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a pathway crucial for tumor survival, proliferation, and dissemination by increasing protein synthesis.
In laboratory experiments, researchers evaluated the drug using mice and human breast tissues. Their findings indicated that the drug effectively diminishes CDK9 levels in triple-negative breast cancer, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for combating the disease. Dr. Hickey remarked, “Our preclinical investigation demonstrates that the drug successfully halted tumor cell proliferation without impacting normal breast tissue cells obtained from patients.” While it’s still in the early stages, Dr. Hickey suggested, “Based on this preliminary evidence, we believe that inhibiting this protein could pave the way for a treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, and therefore, further development of this new drug is warranted.”
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