Researchers Discover Enzyme That Signals Breast Cancer Metastasis

Researchers investigating the role of PLCg1 in breast cancer development have discovered that when they stopped breast cancer cells from producing the enzyme, tumors were unable to spread to other areas of the body.

Metastasis can ultimately lead to death because internal systems are overcome and compromised by tumor growth. Their research is in its early stages but their discovery could pave the way for a new class of cancer drugs that may be able to stop tumors from spreading.

Researchers prevented the cells from producing this enzyme then tested it in mice. They discovered that when they stopped breast cancer cells from making this particular enzyme, it successfully prevented metastasis to other parts of the body.

The next step in researching PLCg1 is to confirm this is what happens in humans. If that occurs, they may be able to develop drugs that can safely block the enzyme and potentially prevent cancer from spreading. However it will take years of development before any drug will be ready to enter human trials.

While the treatment did stop cancerous cells from migrating to other parts of the body, it had little effect on the main tumor. Cell samples taken from human breast cancer patients showed elevated levels of PLCg1 in secondary tumors compared to main tumors in about half of the cases.
The research was a joint effort between St. Bartholomew's Hospital and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and funding was provided by the Association for International Cancer Research. Their findings on PLCg1 can be found in December issue of Cancer Research.

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