Private MD News

New study tests possibly more effective breast cancer drug

Category: Breast

Women who have received blood test and mammogram results indicating they have breast cancer may soon have a much more effective treatment option for their condition following the release of results from a new clinical study.

A team of researchers from Loyola University recently reported a successful trial of a new medication that attacks breast cancer stem cells. In the investigation, 20 women with early-stage breast cancer were treated with the drug with positive results.

Most current medications that fight breast cancer work by destroying mature cancer cells. However, the new medication attacks the cancer stem cells, which are the progenitors of the more destructive mature cells. This method prevents tumors from growing and makes it impossible for them to recur.

Still, the results come from a very early-stage trial that was mainly intended to test how the drug is tolerated. Further investigation is needed to measure exactly how effective it is at stopping the progression of breast cancer. However, the researchers said that the preliminary results from the current investigation appear promising and warrant further research.