How do breast cancers evolve to survive in other parts of your body?
Cancer types:
Breast cancer
Project period:
–
Research institute:
University of Trento
Award amount:
£204,000
Location:
Italy
Professor Zippo is exploring how breast cancer cells are able to survive when they spread to other organs. By finding out how cancer cells acquire the survival skills needed to thrive in other parts of the by body, he hopes to discover new ways to stop cancer spreading, making it easier to cure.
Why is this research needed?
The sooner cancer is detected and treated, the easier it is to cure. Once it spreads from one part of the body to another – in a process called metastasis - it becomes much harder to treat. Research is urgently needed to find out more about the process of metastasis and how to stop it.
Breast cancer particularly spreads to our bones, our lungs or our livers. Professor Zippo and his team in Italy hope to discover more about how breast cancer cells acquire the ability to spread and whether this transformation leaves any vulnerabilities in the cells which could be exploited by new cures.
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What is the science behind this project?
The DNA in your cells carries the instructions your body needs to function and stay healthy. Sometimes mutations cause the sequence of your DNA to change and this can lead to diseases including cancer. Other modifications do not change the actual sequence of DNA, but instead change how the instructions are read. These are known as epigenetic changes.
The development of some cancers is understood to be influenced by epigenetic changes, but we don’t really understand much about how or why. With Curestarter funding, Professor Zippo will explore how epigenetics influences the genome of cancer cells and how this helps cancers to spread.
In order to metastasise, cancer cells need to be able to hide from the immune system, and get over several other hurdles to survive away from their primary site. To do this they must evolve and adapt to what is often a hostile new environment. Professor Zippo and his team will use a combination of techniques including scientific imaging and genetic sequencing to explore in more detail how epigenetic changes give breast cancer cells the super powers they need to spread to other parts of our bodies.
What difference could this project make to patients in the future?
The team believe their findings will shed light on the behaviour of other solid tumours too, paving the way to new ways to stop many cancers spreading. If this becomes a reality it would be a huge help towards fewer lives being cut short from cancer.
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