- New intravenous drug fights development of ductal carcinoma in situ
- In Britain 5,000 women a year are diagnosed with the condition
- The drug stopped three quarters of mice treated from developing cancer
By
Fiona Macrae
15:47 EST, 1 January 2014
|
19:49 EST, 1 January 2014
An injection that prevents breast cancer is being developed by scientists.
In laboratory tests on mice, the jab stopped the disease in its tracks 75 per cent of the time.
The scientists described their results as ‘amazing’ and said that by stopping the cancer before it starts, the injection could spare thousands of women the trauma of surgery and gruelling radiotherapy.
‘New approach’: A jab has been developed that
can in 75 per cent of cases block the development a very early form of
breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, potentially sparking
thousands of women from surgery
British experts said the research was exciting but warned that the drug is still at an early stage.
The main beneficiaries are likely to be women with a very early form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS.
It is diagnosed in almost 5,000 women a year in the UK and involves changes in the cells that line the milk ducts.
It only progresses to full-blown cancer in about half of cases.
Breast exam: Ductal carcinoma in situ is diagnosed in almost 5,000 women a year in the UK and involves changes in the cells that line the milk ducts
But
doctors can’t tell which women this will happen to, so most patients
have to undergo surgery and some have the whole breast removed.
Women
who have inherited genes that place them at extremely high risk of the
disease – such as film star Angelina Jolie – could also benefit by being
given preventative jabs every six months.
The
actress underwent a double mastectomy last year after discovering she
carries a faulty gene that gave her an 87 per cent chance of developing
breast cancer.
Researcher
Don Ingber, of Harvard Medical School in the US, said: ‘Right now, there
is really nothing to give these people besides these drastic, cautious
treatments. The findings open up the possibility of someday treating
patients who have a genetic propensity for cancer.’
The drug does not help to prevent other types of breast cancer, as they will have progressed too far before they are spotted.
Dr Ingber’s team began by pinpointing a gene that fuels the early growth and spread of breast cancer.
They
then used genetic material known as small interfering RNA to shut down
the rogue gene in cancerous cells in a dish. This partially reversed the
cancer.
When the drug was
injected into mice destined to develop breast cancer, three-quarters of
the animals remained healthy. By contrast, all of the untreated
creatures were struck down by the disease, the journal Science
Translational Medicine reports.
Mastectomy: Women who have inherited genes that place them at extremely high risk of the disease – like film star Angelina Jolie – could benefit from the treatment by being given preventative jabs every six months
Dr
Ingber described the results as ‘amazing’. He said: ‘This provides a
way of treating it early and preventing it ever getting there.’
The same approach could be used to tackle other cancers, as well as other diseases caused by genetic flaws.
Dr Ingber added that it should be possible to refine the drug to make it even more effective.
Much
more research is needed but, eventually, women with DCIS or genes that
put them at high risk of breast cancer could be given a six-monthly jab
to keep the disease at bay.
Dr
Kat Arney, of Cancer Research UK, said: ‘This is an exciting new
approach, although it’s important to remember that it’s only been done
in mice so far and this kind of approach is still highly experimental.’
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Brinneh,
Maidenhead, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
I hate needles, but I toughed it out for the HPV jab and I will do it for this. Sign me up.
izzywizzy,
Central, United Kingdom,
2 hours ago
Exciting news, yes. However, one thing needs to be clarified here, DCIS is NOT cancer, it is cancers pre-invasive condition which has not become invasive through into the duct of the breast. If this can be halted, and people can live confidently without the fear of developing an invasive cancer, then fabulous. Until then, keep this fully on the bench and not at the bedside. People wonder where the millions raised for cancer research go…are they stupid enough to think that scientists are sitting twiddling their thumbs? Has anyone seen the work at the Royal Marsden in London? Has anyone known anyone treated successfully for any type of cancer? The fact that person you know is still alive is credit to the thousands of people who work tirelessly (and no, they don’t need great public adulation for it) both in the outwith the NHS to develop vaccines and medications and treatments to prevent cancer from killing. There are hundreds of different causes of cancer, not just one.
esmerelda_11,
HULL,
3 hours ago
Am a firm believer in prevention rather than cure. Much more research needs to be done as to WHY some women get breast cancer – apart from the genetic inheritance factor – and others don’t. I took the pill for only one year of my life, and at 70 got oestrogen based breast cancer; women I know who took pill for years and also take HRT – which I didn’t – remain cancer free! I agree that the proposed jab is hopeful, but not good enough yet. .
esmerelda_11,
HULL,
3 hours ago
Agree that more research is needed, but it is hopeful – for certain types of cancer. Probably wouldn’t deal with all. I too did not take the pill, but got breast cancer – the oestrogen based type – had mastectomy, which was much simpler and far less painful than I’d imagined. I think much more needs to be done on WHY some women develop this disease and others don’t (apart from the genetic probability cases). Am firm believer in prevention rather than cure!
mayra_t21,
Nowhere,
3 hours ago
Interesting idea, but I highly doubt the pharmaceutical industry will allow this to go beyond the experimental stage. And if by chance they do, you can be sure it’ll cost an arm and a leg.
John Henry,
Sartell_MN_USA,
2 hours ago
If this works the pharmacutical companies will be gearing up to produce it by the barrel full and be recomending that EVERY woman get a dose twice a year at $50 or $100 a dose.
Pobble,
Cumbria, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
The problem with DCIS, is that there is no way of deciding when you’re diagnosed if it will progress to a full blown cancer. That’s why those diagnosed are offered an operation to remove the affected area. How many women are going to feel safe trusting an injection that at the moment can’t be guaranteed to work in 25% of cases? Think a bit more research could be needed here
Corriegirl123,
London, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
This jab is long overdue. It is about time that there is some form of preventative medication.
zm509,
ldn,
4 hours ago
I would love to know where all the billions donated to cancer charities go. It seems these miracle cures never get given to the people who need them because of costs. I might be wrong but it seems that way
Teambreezy,
Wirral,
30 minutes ago
Of course, the government gets it, hence why I never donate to cancer charities as I know it won’t be going for a so called cure as they already have one, but they won’t make any money out of that will they?
Angus Files,
Oban, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
In Mice Gotta larf..ho ho ho…
izzywizzy,
Central, United Kingdom,
3 hours ago
Know anyone with breast cancer do you…gotta larf, ho ho ho. Idiot
null,
4 hours ago
Dont you just love the headline its a shame no testing has been done as far as side effects and risks I will not have it or my girls until testing is done..
Anna C,
London, United Kingdom,
4 hours ago
You only read the headline, it’s not a vaccine, it’s for those in the early stages of breast cancer to stop it developing.
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