Breast Cancer Now has awarded Janet Brown, Professor, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, more than £390,000 to investigate early warning signs of secondary breast cancer in the bone by analysing specific proteins found in the blood.
When breast cancer cells spread from the primary cancer in the breast to other parts of the body, it is called secondary or metastatic breast cancer. Although treatable, it can’t be cured.
An estimated 61,000 people are living with secondary breast cancer in the UK. And the bone is the most common site for secondary breast cancer.
In earlier research, Brown and her team from the University of Sheffield identified 16 proteins made by breast cancer cells that are ready to spread to the bones. These proteins can be detected in the blood in the early stages of the disease, before the cancer has spread.
Now, the Sheffield scientists will analyse up to 400 blood samples from people with primary breast cancer who participated in two large clinical trials. These participants were monitored for five to 10 years to track whether they developed secondary breast cancer during that time.
Using advanced computer techniques, the researchers will identify which combination of the 16 proteins best predicts secondary breast cancer in the bone.
They hope this research will lead to a simple test made up of three to five key proteins that can help doctors better understand each person’s risk.
