Bacteria holds potential new method of treating breast cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered a compound in bacteria that can be used to block the spread of breast cancer.

The research, published in Nature Chemistry, shows that the new naturally-occurring antibiotic molecule stops a known cancer-causing protein – FOXM1 – from functioning.

Conducted alongside cancer experts from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the University of Cambridge, the Cancer Research UK study suggests that designing new drugs that mimic the molecule's function could help boost success rates among patients.

Professor Shankar Balasubramanian, lead author of the study, said: "Before this research we weren't aware of any natural product which could directly target a protein that controls gene activity."

Cancer Research UK recently funded the trial of a drug designed for leukaemia patients on those with advanced breast or ovarian cancer.

The researchers hope that the study will shed light on how best to match people to specific types of treatment based on their genetic make-up.