The research’s findings were published January 1, 2012, in the journal Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. “We are making progress from the neck down in cancer treatment, but brain metastases are increasing and are often a primary reason patients with breast cancer do not survive,” said Patricia S. Steeg, PhD, head of the women’s cancers section at the US National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research (Bethesda, MD, USA).

Dr. Steeg reported that very few agents that are effective for the treatment of breast cancer break through the blood-brain barrier and treat disease established inside the brain. Scientists are endeavoring to determine the processes and effects of brain cancer metastasis. Dr. Steeg and colleagues observed the role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) on metastatic breast cancer cell lines. PEDF is currently being evaluated as a therapy for macular degeneration because it has been shown to protect neurons in the retina.

The scientists discovered that PEDF managed to inhibit the brain metastatic activity of these lines. Furthermore, it exerted a prosurvival effect on neurons and protected the brain from tumor-induced injury. Specifically, there was a 3.5-fold reduction in the number of dying neurons adjacent to tumors expressing PEDF.

Although additional study is needed to validate these findings and their applicability, according to Dr. Steeg, the findings represent a significant step forward in trying to manage this disorder.

Related Links:
US National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research