Treatment at source
When we get diagnosed with breast cancer, clinicians start treatment that aims to reduce tumours and rid our bodies of the disease. But chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery have lots of risks attached and we can find the whole process extremely draining and traumatic, especially if the cancer cells have spread/metastasised. This latest research could pave the way for quicker treatments as lumps could be detected early. It may also lead to blood tests showing our chances of getting the disease, which could result in remedies that focus on cancer prevention. Figures show that 50,000 women were affected by the condition in 2010, and 400 men were also diagnosed. Some 12,000 cases were terminal, showing how many of us could benefit from better treatments.
Role of enzymes
During the university study, researchers looked at proteins found in breast cancer cells and discovered that they contained high levels of enzyme APOBEC3B. This study backs up other similar projects where clinicians saw signs of the enzyme in samples of malignant tissue. Lead researcher from the university doctor Reuben Harris, explained that more research is needed to see if there are any other links between the enzyme and age, genetics or other markers for breast cancer. The discovery has also been welcomed by Cancer Research UK. The organisation points out that we may have to wait some time before these kinds of investigations can be used to create treatments, but knowing more about cancers can boost understanding and may lead to the development of more remedies.