Because breast cancer exists in many different forms, it follows that the more we know about each type, the easier it is to treat individual patients.
Breakthrough’s Dr Jorge Reis-Filho is developing a new classification system for breast cancer. The system is based on genes and already, Dr Reis-Filho and his team have identified the unique genetic features of many types of breast cancer. This information can be used to design treatments that target specific types of breast cancer without harming healthy cells and tissues.
Inflammatory breast cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer is rare and its symptoms are quite different from other types of the disease. In many cases, inflammatory breast cancers share common features with triple-negative (hormone and HER2 receptor negative) cancers. This means that our research into triple-negative breast cancer is relevant to people with inflammatory breast cancer.
The majority of inflammatory breast cancers are positive for the EGFR receptor, which can be targeted by a new drug called Lapatinib [Tyverb]. Dr Anthony Kong, another Breakthrough scientist, is working to develop a new, sensitive test for predicting, with improved accuracy, a patient’s response to Lapatinib and other targeted treatments. This research could benefit many women with inflammatory breast cancer in the future by helping doctors to select the best treatment for them.
Paget’s Disease
Also rare, Paget’s Disease appears as an eczema-like rash around the nipple. It is nearly always associated with an underlying breast cancer. Recent research carried out in Germany showed that tumours associated with Paget’s Disease are usually HER2-positive. Breakthrough’s research into HER2-positive breast cancer is, therefore, relevant to people with Paget’s disease.
