Scientists make potential breakthrough in fight against breast cancer after preserving tissue in gel solution

Scientists say they have made a potentially “game-changing” breakthrough in breast cancer research following a discovery in how to preserve breast tissue outside the body for at least one week.

The study, funded by the Prevent Breast Cancer charity, found that tissue could be preserved in a gel solution, which will help scientists identify the most effective drug treatments for patients.

Experts found the preserved tissue maintained its cell types, structure and ability to respond to a series of drugs in the same way as normal breast tissue.

Dr Hannah Harrison, research fellow at the University of Manchester, said the discovery would help scientists test the most appropriate drugs on living tissue for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

She added “There are various risk-reducing options for women at high risk of developing breast cancer – for example, those with a significant family history or who have mutations in the BRCA genes.

“However, not all drugs work for all women.  This new approach means that we can start to determine which drugs will work for which women by measuring their impact on living tissue.

“Ultimately, this means that women can take the most effective drug for their particular genetic makeup.”

Harrison and her team were able to keep breast tissue viable outside the body for relatively long periods.  “By testing different hydrogel formulas we were able to find a solution that preserves human breast tissue for at least a week – and often even longer.”

“This is a real game-changer for breast cancer research in many ways.  We can better test drugs for both the prevention and treatment of cancer, and can examine how factors like breast density – which we know is a risk factor for breast cancer – react to particular hormones or chemicals to see if this has an impact on cancer development.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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