A Key Enzyme Missing in the Most Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer

On February 28th, 2013, Dr. Peter Zhou from the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center found that the triple-negative breast cancer cells are missing a key enzyme. This enzyme is found in all other types of breast cancer, other than the most aggressive form. With this new information, there can be new therapy to treat this form of breast cancer. Dr. Zhou's laboratory is special in it's own way because it is the only laboratory in the country to study the metabolic processes of the triple-negative breast cancer cells. The triple-negative breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer because the transcription factor complex Snail-G9a-Dnmt1 is overly expressed which causes the enzyme 1,6-biphosphate to be inhibited. When the 1,6-biphosphate is inhibited the glucose anabolic pathway shuts down and the glucose catabolic pathway is promoted, which leads to larger amounts of glucose entering the cancerous cells and giving them more energy to thrive. This type of cancer is mainly found in younger women and doesn't have good outcomes of treatment success since it is so resistant to chemotherapy due to the early metastasis in the cancerous cells.
I find this article extremely interesting and exciting news. I think this because if scientists are able to figure out why some cancers are so aggressive then they can figure out ways to control the cancerous cells from reproducing so quickly or not at all. I also find this article amazing because I personally know friends and family of mine who have been battling breast cancer for years, some who have lost the battle and others that are still putting up a great fight. If scientists are able to figure out the exact site of where the cancer cells reproduce and are able to inhibit their growth and reproduction, then many causes of breast cancer could be cured or put into remission. Many people suffering from this disease and their families and friends would be so happy to hear this news, and even happier to hear the news when the scientists can begin to inhibit the cancerous cell growth.

References:

1.University of Kentucky (2013, February 28). Key enzyme missing from aggressive form of breast cancer, groundbreaking study shows.ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2013/02/130228155519.htm