ADELAIDE, Australia / RankWire.AI / – Researchers from Australia have discovered a molecular switch that controls the dissemination of aggressive tumors, unveiling a potential pathway for therapy to prevent secondary cancers. In the published study in EMBO Molecular Medicine, scientists affiliated with Adelaide University and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute showed that restoring a critical regulatory molecule called miR-342 greatly diminishes tumor spread. These results point to an innovative approach by Australian scientists to combat triple-negative breast cancer through targeting dormant cancer cells before they develop into dangerous secondary lesions in distant organs.
While triple-negative breast cancer makes up 10% to 15% of the roughly 21,000 breast cancer cases diagnosed annually in Australia, it is responsible for a disproportionate share of fatalities. This subtype lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making standard hormone-targeted therapies ineffective. The research revealed that when miR-342 levels decrease, the E2F pathway—known to drive cancer progression—becomes hyperactive, enabling dormant cancer cells to metastasize and form secondary tumors throughout the body.
Targeted Treatments Bring New Possibilities for Preventing Metastasis in High-Risk Patients
In laboratory models, restoring miR-342 levels led to a significant reduction in cancer spread to distant organs. Additionally, scientists found that palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor already approved for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, effectively prevented metastatic tumor growth in models with low miR-342. This suggests that assessing miR-342 levels could enable clinicians to repurpose existing drugs for patients at high risk of metastasis.
Associate Professor Philip Gregory from Adelaide University’s Centre for Cancer Biology, co-lead author, confirmed that controlling metastasis remains a key challenge in treating aggressive breast cancers. Gregory highlighted that because palbociclib targets the overactive E2F pathway, administering it after cancer cells have spread can inhibit the expansion of microscopic deposits. Instead of focusing solely on reducing primary tumors, this approach aims to prevent the development of life-threatening secondary cancers at an early stage.
Published Pre-Clinical Research in Renowned Peer-Reviewed Journal EMBO Molecular Medicine
The team pointed out that triple-negative breast cancer is highly biologically heterogeneous, which has historically hindered the development of universal targeted therapies. By identifying a specific biological vulnerability shared by a subgroup of patients, the study paves the way for more personalized treatment strategies. As Australian researchers continue to explore this promising method, efforts are underway to validate the findings in patient-derived models ahead of clinical trials.
Cancer specialists and research institutions across Australia welcomed the findings, emphasizing the critical need for expanded treatment options when primary therapies fail. The research team intends to work with international clinical networks to fast-track biomarker screening processes. Confirming the reliability of miR-342 testing could soon allow clinicians to identify suitable candidates for targeted CDK4/6 inhibitor therapies in early intervention phases.