Patricia Zalli donated her breast tissue to researchers after her mastectomy. Source: Supplied
A LEUKAEMIA drug could hold the key to treating the most common type of breast cancer, Melbourne scientists have discovered.
Using donated tissue from Victorian breast-cancer patients, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers grew tumours in the lab to test the drug.
The drug - an anti-cancer compound called BH3-mimetics - was effective in shrinking the tumours in the aggressive oestrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer. Almost three-quarters of breast cancers are ER-positive.
Research team leader, Professor Geoff Lindeman, said the pre-clinical trial results were promising and he anticipated the drug would progress to human trials within three years.
Prof Lindeman, who is also a medical oncologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, said the drug worked by neutralising a protein called BCL-2 in cancer cells.
The researchers found that the drug, when combined with another breast-cancer therapy, was more effective in attacking the tumours.
Prof Lindeman said the benefit to this approach was that the drug was already in the early stages of development for leaukemia patients.
The research was published yesterday in the journal, Cancer Cell.
Patricia Zalli, 53, who donated her breast tissue to the researchers after her mastectomy, said she wanted to help find a cure for the devastating disease.
"I lost two friends to breast cancer and one passed away a week before I was diagnosed. That is why I went for a check-up," she said. "I've seen what this disease can do to families."
Ms Zalli said the discovery offered hope that she would one day be able to meet her grandchildren.
The researchers found the drug improved the effectiveness of hormone therapy by delaying or stopping growth of aggressive tumours.
Wehi Professor Jane Visvader said new treatments were vital because these forms of breast cancer were aggressive and sufferers had a poor prognosis.
"ER-positive breast cancers are the most common type of breast cancer, so even a small improvement could have a substantial impact," she said.
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