A type of signalling molecule called filamin A may play a key role in the battle against triple-negative breast cancer. This research could lead to more personalized and effective treatments by targeting the unique ways filamin A influences cancer growth and spread, offering new hope for those affected by this type of cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly challenging type of cancer to treat because it doesn’t have any of the three usual markers (i.e., estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) that many breast cancer treatments target.
However, there’s a bright spot in this difficult situation. Scientists are working to find new treatments that can tackle TNBC effectively. One exciting area of research is focusing on a protein called filamin A, which plays a role in the way cancer cells grow and spread. According to a study published in the journal Steroids, the hope is that by targeting filamin A, we might discover more effective treatments.
Filamin A’s Important Role in TNBC
Filamin A is like a double-edged sword in cancer; it can help cancer cells grow but also has the potential to stop them. Its role varies depending on where it is in the cell and other factors. In TNBC, high levels of filamin A are often linked to more advanced cancer. This makes it a potential marker for identifying how severe the cancer is and a target for new treatments aimed at slowing down or stopping the cancer’s growth.
The Potential of Filamin A as a Treatment Target
The way filamin A works in cancer is complex. It interacts with many other proteins inside cells, influencing different processes like cell movement and survival. This complexity means that filamin A could be used not just to help diagnose TNBC but also as a target for new treatments. However, because filamin A can act in different ways, researchers need to do more studies to figure out the best approach to targeting it in TNBC.
Moving Forward: The Importance of Research
For those facing TNBC, the research into filamin A offers a glimmer of hope. Understanding more about how filamin A affects TNBC could lead to new treatments that are more effective and personalized. This research is still in its early stages, but it’s an exciting area that could change how we fight this challenging form of cancer.
Source:
Giovannelli, P., Di Donato, M., Licitra, F., Sabbatino, E., Tutino, V., Castoria, G., & Migliaccio, A. (2024b). Filamin A in triple negative breast cancer. Steroids, 109380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109380
