New Dual-Target Medication Could Pave the Way for Novel Treatment Strategies in Breast Cancer Care

Collaboration Overview

Researchers led by Professor Laura Mackay from the University of Melbourne, along with Pfizer, have made significant advancements in potential treatments for breast cancer. They have discovered a novel dual-target drug that enhances the efficiency of cancer-fighting immune cells in mice, which may lead to improved therapeutic outcomes for breast cancer patients.

Breast Cancer Prevalence and the Need for New Treatments

Breast cancer is a major health concern in Australia, ranking as the fifth most frequent cause of cancer-related death, with over 20,000 new diagnoses each year. Among these, more than 1,000 are young Australian women under the age of 40, highlighting an urgent need for more effective treatment options. Immunotherapy has emerged as a particularly promising approach, harnessing the body’s own immune cells to combat cancer. However, it is noted that only a small fraction of breast cancer patients benefit from existing immunotherapy treatments.

Insights from Recent Research

A recent study published in Clinical and Translational Immunology highlights the efficacy of dual-target antibody therapy in bolstering T cells that fight cancer more effectively than current single-target methods. Professor Mackay emphasized the critical nature of this research, stating, “We need to find new ways to instruct the immune system to fight cancer.” The findings support the idea that a dual-target approach can more successfully stimulate cancer-fighting immune responses, aligning with the fundamental objectives of immunotherapy.

Mechanism of Dual-Target Therapy

Certain cancer cells possess proteins, such as CD47 and PD-L1, which allow them to evade detection and destruction by the immune system. In collaboration with Pfizer, researchers developed a method to ‘unmask’ these proteins, rendering the cancer cells visible to immune cells for eradication.

While therapies targeting CD47 and PD-L1 have been explored individually, they have been plagued by limitations, including patient toxicity and inadequate response rates. The research team investigated dual-target antibody therapy as a solution to amplify the anti-cancer effects while minimizing these challenges.

Potential Implications for Breast Cancer Treatment

Dr. Susan Christo, the lead author of the study and a Senior Research Officer at the Doherty Institute, articulated the transformative potential of their findings. “The idea that cancer-fighting immune cells can gain more power when we target multiple key proteins at once may be a real game-changer in the field of immunotherapy,” she suggested.

Dr. Christo further conveyed optimism about the broader applications of this dual-target strategy, stating that it could be beneficial for various types of solid cancers. “This means that more patients could benefit from its anti-cancer function, inspiring us to do more research with the hopes of going to clinical trials,” she noted.

Future Direction

The promising results of this study not only pave the way for potential improvements in breast cancer therapy but also highlight the versatility of dual-target approaches in treating a wider array of solid tumors. The research was made possible through funding from Pfizer Inc. and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), emphasizing the collaborative effort required to advance cancer treatment. As research continues, the hope is that these breakthroughs will lead to clinical trials and ultimately more effective treatment options for breast cancer patients and beyond.

University of Melbourne. “Innovative dual-target drug may lead to new investigational approach for breast cancer patients.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 February 2025.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250212141356.htm