Medical News Today–August 28, 2009–Scientists in London have identified a molecule that could be helping breast cancer to spread, according to research published recently.

Dr. Amanda Harvey, based at London’s Brunel University, has previously established that a molecule called Brk, found in 60 per cent of breast tumours, plays an important role in making breast cancer cells grow quicker. According to her latest research findings, published in the American Journal of Pathology, Brk has also been shown to be involved in helping breast cancer cells to spread (metastasis).

Metastasis occurs when cancer spreads from its original site to a new location and is responsible for almost all breast cancer deaths.

Dr Harvey studied aggressive breast cancer tumours from patients who normally have an extremely poor outcome. The molecule Brk was found in high levels in these tumours, but crucially it was not found in normal breast cells.

In further laboratory tests, Dr Harvey found that tumour cells died if she stopped Brk from working, but when Brk was re-introduced they survived. This demonstrates that Brk has a significant involvement in helping breast cancer cells to both survive and spread.

Dr Harvey said, “We are now investigating exactly how Brk helps breast cancer to grow and spread so that we can develop ways to prevent this from happening. Our ultimate aim is to develop new ways to kill the breast cancer cells.”

Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy, Breast Cancer Campaign which funded the study said, “Dr Harvey’s findings are encouraging and we hope they will take us a step closer to being able to halt the spread of breast cancer, the main cause of death in women with this disease.

About Dr. Amanda Harvey, Brunel University:

Dr. Harvey studied biochemistry at the University of Wales, Cardiff, followed by a PhD in the Institute for Cancer Studies in Sheffield. After post-doctoral research at the University of Sheffield and Royal Holloway, University of London, she was appointed as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Brunel University, West London in 2006. Her research interests focus on the development and spread of breast cancer as well as the mechanisms that are involved in the resistance of tumours to chemotherapeutic drugs.