Peptide May Be New Weapon to Fight Breast Cancer

by Alex A. Kecskes

Researchers may have discovered a new way to fight breast cancer. A peptide found in blood and tissue has been shown to inhibit the growth of human breast tumors in mice.

The mice were injected with the peptide or saline for 18 days. Those treated with the peptide experienced a 40 percent reduction in tumor size as compared to the saline-injected mice. Breast tumor fibrosis was also reduced by 64 to 75 percent in the mice treated with the peptide as compared to the saline-injected mice.

The peptide attacked breast cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (cells found in the tissue surrounding the tumor). These fibroblasts provide the structural support and growth factors that help tumor cells grow. The tumor microenvironment can be critically important when the cancer has metastasized, since drugs that are effective for treating the primary tumor are often ineffective in treating a tumor growing in a different body part.

Previous studies revealed that patients treated with drugs to reduce blood pressure and increase the peptide also had a reduced risk of developing cancer. Researchers used this data to study the effect of the peptide on lung cancer and discovered it inhibited the growth of lung tumors in mice.

Researchers believe that the peptides may boost the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents by altering the microenvironment that supports tumor growth. Researchers hope to engage in clinical trials for breast cancer shortly.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

For more information on health careers, visit http://www.healthcarejobsite.com/