Researchers have developed a groundbreaking single-dose treatment that could transform the fight against breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women.
But new treatment research has shown flimmers of hope of reversing that trend.
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The new treatment works by eliminating small tumors and significantly shrinking large ones without the severe side effects of current therapies.
Currently, breast cancer treatment involves surgery and several years of hormone therapy, which has several adverse late effects, including osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction and blood clots.
But the new compound, ErSO-TFPy, selectively targets estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cells and has shown remarkable results in preclinical studies.
Lead researcher Paul Hergenrother told the American Chemical Society: “It is very rare for a compound to shrink tumors in mouse models of breast cancer, let alone completely eradicate those tumors with a single dose, so we are eager for ErSO-TFPy to advance for treatment of breast cancer,” said lead researcher Paul Hergenrother.
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In experiments, a single dose of ErSO-TFPy led to complete or near-complete regression of small and large tumors in mice.
The compound builds on earlier research into a molecule called ErSO, which killed ER+ breast cancer cells but caused undesirable side effects.
ErSO-TFPy, developed as a more potent and selective derivative, has demonstrated higher efficacy and better pharmacological properties.
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While further studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in humans, researchers believe ErSO-TFPy could be a transformative treatment for ER+ breast cancer.
The findings, published in ACS Central Science, highlight the potential of this single-dose therapy to address a major unmet need in breast cancer treatment. “The possibility of eradicating tumors with just one dose is a remarkable step forward in cancer treatment,” Hergenrother added.