Innovative Therapeutic Strategy Shows Promise for Metaplastic Breast Cancer Clinical Outcomes

Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a rare and chemoresistant type of breast cancer with no standardized treatment guidelines. The optimal treatment strategy remains unknown. Aside from surgical resection, treatment methodologies include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. About 80% of MpBCs are triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). However, the survival rate in MpBC patients is significantly lower than TNBC.

Using patient-derived MpBC cell lines and xenograft models, Chang demonstrated that iNOS inhibition increases the efficacy of PI3K inhibitor therapy against MpBC. “The significance of these NOS2 genetic alterations in relation to disease pathogenesis is currently unknown. However, the significant co-occurrence between NOS2 and PI3K signaling genes implies that these pathways may be influencing tumorigenesis by utilizing similar mechanisms in multiple cancer types, including MpBC,” commented Chang. Specifically, Chang reported that the NOS inhibitor, L-NMMA, sensitizes MpBC to alpelisib (a selective PI3K inhibitor), and taxane. “This is a significant finding because it offers a promising therapeutic option for one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat subtypes of breast cancer,” said Chang. “We have the potential to improve outcomes for patients who currently face limited treatment options and poor prognoses, marking an important step forward in cancer research and therapy.” Chang hopes these findings will help develop a specific care plan for metaplastic breast cancer patients and improve clinical outcomes.