What's Happening?
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered that the enzyme EZH2 plays a crucial role in the metastasis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. The study, published in Cancer Discovery, reveals that EZH2 drives abnormal cell division, enabling cancer cells to spread to distant organs. The research suggests that drugs inhibiting EZH2 can restore normal cell division and prevent the spread of TNBC cells. This finding challenges the conventional approach of exacerbating cell division errors to induce cancer cell death, proposing instead that stabilizing cell division could be more effective.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of EZH2's role in cancer metastasis offers a promising new therapeutic approach for treating TNBC, which is known for poor survival rates due to its aggressive nature. By targeting EZH2, researchers hope to block metastasis before it begins, potentially improving outcomes for patients. This approach could also be applicable to other cancers characterized by chromosomal instability, such as lung adenocarcinoma. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind cancer spread and opens the door for clinical trials to test EZH2 inhibitors in high-risk cancers.
What's Next?
The research team plans to conduct clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors in treating TNBC and potentially other cancers with chromosomal instability. Collaborations are being planned to further explore the therapeutic potential of EZH2 inhibitors, including the repurposing of existing drugs like Tazemetostat. These trials could lead to new treatment options for patients with aggressive cancers, offering hope for improved survival rates and outcomes.
Beyond the Headlines
The study links epigenetic regulation with chromosomal instability, providing a deeper understanding of cancer biology. By identifying the mechanism through which EZH2 drives metastasis, researchers can develop targeted therapies that address the root cause of cancer spread. This approach not only offers potential for treating TNBC but also sets a precedent for exploring similar mechanisms in other types of cancer, potentially leading to broader applications of EZH2 inhibitors.
