Research uncovers new treatment target for aggressive breast cancer

Researchers have identified a potential treatment target for triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of breast cancer.

The study found that PUF60 helps cancer cells grow and survive by controlling how key genes are spliced (the editing of genetic instructions before proteins are made).

In models of triple-negative breast cancer, disrupting PUF60 caused widespread errors in gene processing, leading to DNA damage and tumour cell death.

Healthy breast cells were largely unaffected.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego screened more than 1,000 RNA-binding proteins in triple-negative breast cancer cells and identified 50 essential to TNBC survival, with PUF60 emerging as a top candidate.

In multiple mouse models, loss of PUF60 led to substantial tumour regression.

Triple-negative breast cancer does not respond to targeted therapies such as immunotherapy or hormone therapy used in other subtypes.

The name refers to tumours that test negative for oestrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2 protein.

The findings suggest PUF60 could offer a new direction for drug development, as cancer cells appear to depend on it while healthy cells do not.

However, the researchers noted that further work is needed to explore whether inhibitors targeting PUF60 can be developed as targeted cancer therapies.

The study was led by Corina Antal, assistant professor, and Gene Yeo, professor, both at UC San Diego School of Medicine.