Pharmacy Times: Hierarchy of breast cancer cells
UC research pinpoints hierarchy of breast cancer cells as potential cause for treatment resistance
It may take cells in different stages of development to cause breast cancer to progress and spread, according to recent University of Cincinnati research published in the journal eLife.
The findings demonstrated the importance of accounting for specific cell states present in a tumor in order to determine the appropriate combination of drugs necessary to eliminate all the cell states present and halt treatment resistance. The study was led by author Syn Yeo, PhD, research instructor in the department of cancer biology.
Syn Yeo, PhD, research instructor in the department of cancer biology at the UC College of Medicine. Photo by UC Creative + Brand.
He and other researchers noted that the variation between cell states may cause difficulties during treatment if differences in cell states are not accounted for.
"This diversity poses a problem to treating patients because particular subsets of tumor cells may be drug resistant and eventually lead to disease recurrence," says Yeo. "One of the factors contributing to this diversity is the fact that tumor cells can exist in different cellular states, ranging from more stem-like cells that can become other cell types to more differentiated cells that have been coded to serve a purpose, or do a certain 'job' within the system.”
Read the full Pharmacy Times story.
Featured photo of breast cancer cells courtesy of the National Cancer Institute.
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC studies supplement, therapy alternatives to treat depression
March 2, 2026
Media outlets including Cleveland.com and Cleveland's WKYC News highlighted a new University of Cincinnati clinical trial funded by an approximately $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to test two new nonpharmacological treatments for teens and young adults with depression.
Did plants nearly wipe out all marine life on Earth — twice?
March 2, 2026
An expert on global mass extinctions at the University of Cincinnati provided context to a new study examining the spread of the first land plants on Earth between 360 million and 540 million years ago.
Cincinnati a top destination for street art, museums
February 27, 2026
Discover why Cincinnati is a top destination for street art and museums, ranked among USA Today’s 10Best for 2026. Explore how University of Cincinnati research shows public art boosts community vitality, and find the best things to do near UC’s campus for students and visitors alike.