New Strategy Identified to Prevent Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Researchers at Ludwig Harvard, led by Judith Agudo, have published significant findings in Nature, detailing a new strategy to prevent metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is an aggressive form of cancer that has shown notable resistance to current therapies.

Unveiling TNBC's Evasion Tactics

Agudo's team utilized the JEDI model, specifically developed to study the immune system's surveillance of cancer stem cells. This model allowed them to identify TNBC cells that successfully evade immune attack and subsequently metastasize in mice.

Further studies indicated that these metastatic TNBC cells often activate the glucocorticoid receptor, enabling them to circumvent immune system targeting.

This critical observation aligns with previous reports linking glucocorticoid receptor activation to both increased metastasis and poorer outcomes for TNBC patients.

A Promising Therapeutic Combination

Investigators also determined that mifepristone, an existing medication, demonstrated the ability to reduce the number of incipient metastases in animal models.

A significant breakthrough occurred when mifepristone was combined with anti-PD1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapy, which works by stimulating an immune response against cancer cells.

The combination therapy further inhibited TNBC metastasis and dramatically improved survival rates in the animal models.

This study proposes a novel strategy, involving a commonly used drug, for potential evaluation in clinical studies. The overarching objective is to curtail TNBC metastasis, which remains the primary cause of mortality in this and most other cancer types.