A monoclonal antibody blocks breast cancer metastasis

(ANSA) - ROME, JANUARY 25 - Thanks to a monoclonal antibody it is possible to block the development of metastases to the bones of the breast tumor.

This is the result achieved by an international study published in the scientific journal Oncogene, which was conducted by the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital and the Inserm of Lyon thanks also to the work of the research groups of the Institut Curie of Paris and of the University of Hamburg.

    The research team identified the integrinalpha5 protein as one of the factors most involved in the process of bone metastasis.

These processes may be responsible for the onset of relapse even after years from the end of surgical and adjuvant treatments.

   Scientists noted that the monoclonal antibody Volociximab blocks the action of the protein.

   The high efficacy of Volociximab in inhibiting the formation of bone metastases has been demonstrated first on in vitro and then in vivo models, in the translational oncology laboratories of the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome and of the Inserm of Lyon.

    "The alpha 5 integrin protein - explains Francesco Pantanod of the Medical Oncology Unit of the Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital - is the 'hook' with which the tumor cell attaches itself to fibronectin, which is highly present in the bone microenvironment. an event that leads to the development of metastases, is blocked by the Volocixamab which interferes with the two molecules and stops the tumor from spreading in the bone. The result is very promising also because the drug is safe, has already been tested and is not toxic ".

    In 2020, breast cancer affected almost 55,000 people in Italy.

Although breast cancer mortality is constant (-0.8 every year) and 5-year survival has reached 87 percent, according to Aiom data, about 12,300 deaths from this disease are still estimated in 2020.

   (HANDLE).