Have we cracked breast cancer? Scientists discover 'Achilles heel' of the disease and why it can return years later
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women affecting millions c
- Cells can lie dormant after treatment but 'reawaken' at any times
- Scientists have discovered a way to 'switch off' signals to stop cells dividing and eventually kill them
The 'Achilles heel' of breast cancer has been identified, leading to hopes of a treatment which would cure it for good.
Scientists have discovered why the disease can return years after women appear to be free of it.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women with nearly two million new cases diagnosed globally ever year.
Now researchers have discovered why current treatments do not kill off the disease but render it dormant, meaning it can become active again at any time.
Scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered a way to 'switch off' the signals which tell cancer cells to grow and divide.
Scientists have identified how to 'switch off' the signals which tell cancer cells to grow and divide
Many invasive forms of breast cancer have too much of the receptor HER2 on their surface, which leads to uncontrolled growth of the cancer cells.
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a type of protein present in all human cells, but in certain types of cancer the levels are unusually high.
Professor Dr Andreas Plückthun said the discovery could lead to promising new treatments.
The 'Achilles heel' of breast cancer has been identified, leading to hopes of a treatment which would cure it for good.
Scientists have discovered why the disease can return years after women appear to be free of it.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women with nearly two million new cases diagnosed globally ever year.
Now researchers have discovered why current treatments do not kill off the disease but render it dormant, meaning it can become active again at any time.
Scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered a way to 'switch off' the signals which tell cancer cells to grow and divide.
Scientists have identified how to 'switch off' the signals which tell cancer cells to grow and divide
Many invasive forms of breast cancer have too much of the receptor HER2 on their surface, which leads to uncontrolled growth of the cancer cells.
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is a type of protein present in all human cells, but in certain types of cancer the levels are unusually high.
Professor Dr Andreas Plückthun said the discovery could lead to promising new treatments.
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