New Biomarker Osteopontin-c, Possible Early Predictor of Advanced Breast Cancer

A more accurate biomarker – osteopontin-c – has been identified by researchers  at University of Cincinnati that will predict if breast cancers will develop into an advanced form.

Currently, biomarkers used are elevated levels of three standard molecules known to make tumors grow in the breast: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER — are used as “biomarkers” for diagnosis and individually detect only a fraction of breast cancers.

According to Georg Weber, MD, PhD, lead investigator of the new study and associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati:

“The problem with these biomarkers is that many of them are present at some level in the normal breast. In addition, they are surface molecules that support growth so they are not necessarily a good predictor of tumor metastasis.”

On the other hand, osteopontin-c is absent from the normal breast and appears to more accurately predict breast cancer that will become metastatic and spread to distant organs from the original tumor site.

As further explained by Dr. Weber:

“Osteopontin-c was present in a substantially higher number of breast cancers than the three biomarkers traditionally used to diagnose breast cancer. We also found that the cancers containing osteopontin-c correlated with a higher tumor grade, meaning they were more likely to become aggressive cancer.

If we know that this molecule is not present in a patient with breast cancer, it’s more likely that we can treat them with conservative therapy rather than breast surgery, hormone therapy or chemotherapy because we know it’s less likely to metastasize.

On the other hand, if we know that a patient has this molecule early in their diagnosis, we can treat it more aggressively because we know their cancer is likely to become invasive.”

The identification of osteopontin-c is better biomarker of breast cancer could one day influence therapy decisions and prevent patients from unnecessarily undergoing aggressive cancer treatments.

Find more details from University of Cincinnati.