A Groundbreaking Revelation - Inhibiting P-glycoprotein (P-GP) Targets Dormant Tumor Cells After Chemotherapy
A research team at the Medical University of Vienna has made a significant breakthrough in addressing dormant tumor cells that can survive chemotherapy. Their discovery revolves around the inhibition of a specific protein known as P-glycoprotein (P-gp). This finding introduces new possibilities for delaying relapse, particularly in the case of the aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which currently lacks effective treatment options. This development was published in the journal Drug Resistance Updates, and it holds promise for advancing the treatment of TNBC.
Triple-negative breast cancer is a particularly aggressive form of the disease, characterized by early relapse and low survival rates. Until now, available treatment options have been limited, and standard chemotherapy regimens have often proven insufficient due to the development of therapy resistance. The research team at the Center for Cancer Research at MedUni Vienna has unveiled the underlying mechanism behind this resistance and how it can be prevented. They have found that a protein called P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is known for its role in exporting chemotherapy drugs from cells, also plays a role in protecting dormant cancer cells.
In a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, the extended inhibition of P-gp with a drug called tariquidar prior to the onset of resistance significantly prolonged the survival of the mice. This suggests that targeting the population of drug-tolerant cancer cells by blocking P-glycoprotein may offer better prospects for curing patients with triple-negative breast cancer in the future.
