Study on response to breast cancer radiotherapy

Nov 26 2009

Scientists are closer to discovering why some people respond to breast cancer radiotherapy better than others, according to Breast Cancer Campaign.

Dr Laura Smith, at the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, has been awarded a pilot grant by Breast Cancer Campaign, to study why some types of breast cancers are difficult to destroy with radiotherapy.

The grant forms part of £2 million awarded to 20 projects in the UK and Ireland.

Previous research has shown that breast cancer cells which are difficult to destroy with radiotherapy contained reduced amounts of molecules called GRP78, PSMD9 and DARS.

Dr Smith and her team aim to find out what role these molecules play in preventing radiotherapy from working in breast cancer.

Dr Smith said, “We are grateful for this funding from Breast Cancer Campaign which we hope will lead to a way to predict how successful treatment will be in people with different types of breast cancer.”

Arlene Wilkie, Director of Research and Policy, Breast Cancer Campaign said, “This research could lead to a simple test to establish the effectiveness of radiotherapy prior to treatment. Radiotherapy is not suitable for everyone with breast cancer and this would ensure that only those who will benefit from the treatment will receive it.”