New growth inhibitors of estrogen-dependent breast cancer
Scientists at the University of Illinois, working under the leadership of Professor David J. Shapiro, have identified a new family of agents that inhibit the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells, including variants of tumors resistant to traditional treatments.
Despite the fact that many factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, estrogen plays a key role in the growth of many tumors. More than 80% of malignant breast tumors in women over the age of 45 are activated by the interaction of estrogen with its receptor. The estrogen-receptor complex interacts with DNA, triggering the transcription of RNA, which subsequently synthesize proteins that stimulate cell growth, migration and division.
Modern methods of treating breast cancer expressing an estrogen receptor include the use of drugs such as tamoxifen that disrupt the interaction of estrogen and the corresponding receptor. However, during treatment, such tumors gradually acquire resistance to tamoxifen, and in some cases the drug begins to act in the opposite way – to stimulate tumor growth.
The authors set themselves the task of finding a way to influence other stages of the functioning of estrogen. Using a method they developed that allows them to quickly determine whether a particular DNA fragment is associated with the estrogen-receptor complex, they screened a huge number of potential therapeutic compounds in order to identify molecules that prevent the complex from binding to DNA. After that, the selected agents were tested on breast cancer cells expressing the estrogen receptor.
As a result, several substances have been identified that inhibit the binding of DNA regulatory regions with the estrogen-receptor complex activating them. These compounds effectively blocked the production of proteins that stimulate the growth and proliferation of cancer cells expressing the estrogen receptor. The authors believe that the results obtained will mark the beginning of a new stage in the development of drugs for the treatment of breast cancer.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily
27.06.2008