How Does Breast Cancer Spread to the Lungs?

A specific protein plays a major role in the spread of breast cancer, which can be prevented by blocking insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in combination with paclitaxel.

Tumour cell growth in breast cancer patients can be prevented by blocking insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in combination with paclitaxel.

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women due to metastasis (the spread of a cancer from one organ or part of the body to another) and the development of resistance to established therapies.

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‘Blocking insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in combination with paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat breast cancer can reduce the spread of tumor.’

Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the breast tumour and can both inhibit and support cancer progression. The research team from the University of Liverpool conducted this study.

Insulin-like growth factors

Led by Dr Ainhoa Mielgo the research team, from the University’s Institute of Translational Medicine, conducted a study to gain a better understanding of how breast cancer associated macrophages support breast cancer metastasis with the aim of developing more effective therapies against this disease.

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They found that these macrophages express high levels of specific proteins called ’insulin-like growth factors’ (IGFs) 1 and 2 and this helps metastatic breast cancer cells grow in the lungs.

IGF-1 and 2 are hormones found naturally in your blood. Their main job is to regulate the effects of growth hormone (GH) in your body. However, as shown in this study, tumours can also express these proteins to help them grow and metastasize to other organs.

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Significant reduction in breast cancer metastasis

About 75 percent of breast cancer patients examined showed activation of IGF receptors which correlates with increased macrophage infiltration and tumour progression.

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In patients with invasive breast cancer, activation of IGF receptors increased to 87 percent.

The researchers found there was a significant reduction in tumour cell growth and lung metastasis in pre-clinical breast cancer models when IGFs were blocked in combination with paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat some of the most aggressive types of breast cancer.

The results of this research study have been published in the Oncogene journal.

Improving treatments for invasive breast cancer

Dr Mielgo said: "Our findings provide the rationale for further developing the combination of paclitaxel with IGF blockers for the treatment of invasive breast cancer.

"A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the metastatic spreading of breast cancer is critical to improve treatment and patient outcome."

Lucy Ireland, PhD student in Dr Mielgo’s group and first author of this publication, said: "I am thrilled by our findings, as the combination therapy is more effective than the current treatment in pre-clinical models of breast cancer."

Source-Eurekalert