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A "blocker" for the spread of breast metastases has been discovered
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Biologists have discovered a signaling scheme by which metastases spread in breast cancer. The key role in it is played by the “communication” between the molecules CCL2 and TGF-β – they stimulate each other and ensure the release of cancer structures into the bloodstream. In addition, scientists have identified a gene blocking system: if you act on it, you can block the spread of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among all oncological pathologies. The main role in such "popularity" of the disease is played by the effect of hormones: significant factors are early puberty, late menopause, metabolic disorders, long-term use of hormonal agents. For example, hormones, activating the processes of cell proliferation, simultaneously increase the risk of DNA damage, which often contributes to the development of malignant diseases.
Signal molecules are involved in physiological regulation of many functions. Information is transmitted between cells and within them, which is typical for cytokines, for example. In the course of scientific work, it was found that in patients with breast cancer, the quality of the functionality of the CCL2 gene is directly dependent on the active position of the cytokine TGF-β. Scientists believe that breaking this chain can be the basis for creating a drug to treat the disease.
The researchers carefully examined the work of CCL2 inside cancer cells. Using screening, they isolated the region of the gene responsible for the activation of TGF-β1. At the same time, gene activity in malignant cells was analyzed depending on the presence of TGF-β1.
It was found that after TGF-β activation, intracellular EGR1 and RXRA, which regulate CCL2 function, were stimulated. If these transcription factors were switched off, the connection between TGF-β and CCL2 disappeared.
"Today we already know the regulation scheme. Most likely, the discovered method of blocking metastasis will become the basis for further effective therapy of cancer processes in the mammary gland. The tumor will become less aggressive, and the treatment - more promising," said one of the authors of the work.
What can help block the activity of RXRA and EGR1? Most likely, we are talking about the targeted transportation of individual agents capable of influencing these links. Single-stranded RNAs, called antisense, are considered promising in this regard. They are complementary to mRNA transcribed inside the cell and do not allow the production of transcription factors RXRA and EGR1.
In the future, the specialists planned to conduct a corresponding experiment in a laboratory setting, involving animals. It is important to understand what effect direct blocking of RXRA and EGR1 will have on the extent of spread of breast cancer metastases.
Information is presented on the Scientific Reports page