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Recent research success

Drug combination could put the brakes on breast cancer

Breast Cancer Campaign recently made front-page news in the national press as well as being featured on Sky News and Channel 5 following a significant research discovery by its scientists:

Breast cancer patients could soon benefit from a new combination of treatments that can stop tumours from growing, research from the University of Sheffield has shown.

During treatment a combination of several different types of drugs, including chemotherapy, are given to stop tumours growing. Patients with advanced cancer may also be given a treatment known as a bisphosphonate to prevent bone loss and protect against pain and weakness associated with cancer.

Funded by Breast Cancer Campaign, Dr Penelope Ottewell, at the University of Sheffield carried out a unique laboratory study to determine the effects of combining the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin and the bone-protecting drug zoledronic acid on the growth of established breast tumours.

The treatments were given alone, in sequence and in combination to find the most effective order in which to give them.

The results of the study, published in the August issue of Journal of the National Cancer Institute, have shown that treating breast cancer using doxorubicin followed 24 hours later by zoledronic acid has a dramatic result; almost complete elimination of breast tumour growth.  If these results are translated into the clinic, it could ultimately lead to improved chances of survival for thousands of women currently undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Project leader Dr Ingunn Holen said, “Our work - using a model system - has shown that treatment with the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin followed by zoledronic acid kills breast tumours. These results suggest that a patient may benefit the most if these two drugs are given in this particular order. We eagerly look forward to the results of a large breast cancer trial later this year to confirm our findings. This method of treatment could then quickly be incorporated into clinical practice.”