Scientists open the door to future 2-in-1 breast cancer treatments

Scientists from the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre based at the Institute of Cancer Research have shown for the first time that it is possible for one drug to simultaneously attack cancer cells in two completely different ways. Researchers now hope this discovery could lead to further two-in-one treatments – meaning breast cancer patients could potentially need to take fewer drugs to treat tumours in the future.

The laboratory study led by Prof Mitch Dowsett and Dr Lesley-Ann Martin was funded by Avon Cosmetics, The Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Foundation and Novartis Pharma in a joint venture and is published in the current issue of Cancer Research [1].  

The team showed that an experimental compound called PTK/ZK [2], originally developed as an ‘angiogenesis inhibitor’ to block a tumour’s blood supply and slow its growth, also acted as an ‘aromatase inhibitor’. In this way it prevents the growth of hormone sensitive breast cancers reliant on oestrogen for their growth and survival. This type of breast cancer accounts for over 70% of all cases of breast cancer.

Scientists from Breakthrough and Novartis used advanced computer modelling to demonstrate that the shape of PTK/ZK allows it to block aromatase and prevent it working.

Dr Susana Banerjee, a member of the team, said: “We found one compound could launch a two-pronged attack on some cancer cells. Although the drug we researched, PTK/ZK, is no longer in development, this unique discovery raises the very exciting possibility that we might be able to intentionally engineer drugs to target two distinct biological pathways in the future.

“Developing one drug that attacks a tumour in two completely different ways may provide a better approach to fighting breast cancer. Not only does this approach have the potential to boost the effectiveness of existing drugs, it could also mean that patients need to take fewer drugs to treat tumours.”

Dr Susana Banerjee is one of four clinicians sponsored by Avon Cosmetics to carry out research at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research in London.  Part of Avon’s ongoing commitment to tackling the disease, all ‘Dr Avons’ are funded for three years through Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade Programme - the only such initiative in the UK to be funded by a beauty company.  The programme supports individuals working on research which focuses on developing results from the laboratory into better ways to diagnose and treat patients as quickly as possible. Avon has raised over £14million for Breakthrough Breast Cancer since the Avon Crusade began 17 years ago.