Study finds microRNA target to combat breast cancer treatment resistance

MSN highlighted new University of Cincinnati Cancer Center research that has identified a particular strand of microRNA as a promising new target for overcoming breast cancer treatment resistance and improving outcomes. The research was recently published in the journal Cancers.

The Cancer Center's Xiaoting Zhang, PhD, and his colleagues previously identified a protein called MED1 that is produced in much higher levels in 40% to 60% of breast cancers. MED1 plays key roles in mediating treatment resistance with estrogen receptors (ERs) and the protein HER2, but researchers did not know how it was produced at such a high level to cause treatment resistance.

The team found that a strand of microRNA called miR-205 has a sequence that can regulate the production of MED1. They further analyzed the human breast cancer database to confirms an inverse correlation between miR-205 and MED1 levels.

“So if MED1 is high, miR-205 is actually low. Essentially, this microRNA will block the production of MED1,” Zhang said. “Then we found they also correlate with treatment outcomes. So if you have low miR-205, now you have high MED1, and the cancer can actually be resistant to the treatment, and you have poor treatment outcomes.”

While more research is needed, Zhang said boosting levels of miR-205 could be a different and potentially more effective way to overcome treatment-resistant breast cancers by blocking MED1 production and activity.

Read the MSN article.

Read more about the research.

Featured photo at top of Zhang working in his laboratory. All photos/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand.