The HER2 paradox: HER2-positive stem cells found in
HER2-negative breast cancer Discovery could refine diagnostics
and treatments to help prevent recurrent cancer. A multicenter
study led by researchers at UC Davis describes new, paradoxical
characteristics of the most common type of breast cancer. The
findings shed light on how the disease can evade treatment and
could improve diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The
research, led by Jian Jian Li, director of translational
research in the UC Davis Department of Radiation Oncology,
examined breast tumors previously thought to lack the HER2
protein, which, when over-expressed, is associated with disease
recurrence. Instead, researchers found in the tumors small
groups of aggressive, treatment-resistant HER2-positive breast
cancer stem cells (BCSCs). The findings will be published Dec.
15 in Clinical Cancer Research. “These BSCSs are very resistant
to traditional treatments, which can lead patients to relapse,”
said Li, the study lead author. “Despite chem