Breakthrough could revolutionise cancer care

Irish scientists have discovered a way to “trick” breast cancer tumours to “destroy themselves” — following four years of groundbreaking research — which could replace chemotherapy within a decade.

Researchers at University College Cork, funded by the Irish Cancer Society and the Cork Cancer Research Centre, have made the significant breakthrough via a radical new form of gene therapy.

As part of the major study, which began in 2008, the research team delivered human genes via a virus into breast cancer tumour cells.

These genes then generate signals which effectively tell the tumour to cut off its own blood supply, which stops its growth and makes it far easier to treat.

Unlike previous gene therapy approaches, which only used viruses, the use of human genes means the effects last far longer.

In addition, the ability of the treatment to directly target the tumour instead of both the tumour and other nearby healthy cells makes it a more attractive approach than debilitating chemotherapy.

As a result, those involved in the groundbreaking research — one of seven major studies into breast cancer currently funded by the Irish Cancer Society — said while the treatment was still in its “infancy” it could potentially revolutionise cancer care worldwide.

“Over the last century, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been used in combination with surgery to improve the survival rates of cancer patients.

“However, our research in the area of gene therapy highlights how we can ‘tell’ a tumourto cause its own destruction, without damaging healthy cells,” said lead researcher Dr Mark Tangney.

“Over the past four years we have successfully developed and tested a novel anti-angiogenic strategy, aimed at inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels for breast cancer as well as safer, more powerful gene delivery agents.

“We are delighted to have advanced a new type of potential treatment for breast cancer that uses this pioneering gene therapy, which has significantly less toxicity and more efficacy than existing treatments,” he said.

Irish Cancer Society’s head of research Prof John Fitzpatrick said the research was likely to be of genuine benefit to the “one in 11 women in Ireland [who] will develop breast cancer during their lifetime”.

Over the past 50 years, the Irish Cancer Society has contributed over €30m into cancer research, resulting in over 650 breakthrough findings being made.

* Further information is available at www.cancer.ie or the Irish Cancer Society’s helpline, 1800 200700.