New Breast Cancer Hope As Rogue Cells Are Found

By MARK PRIGG

SCIENTISTS claim to have discovered the stem cells that cause recurring breast cancer.

The rare mammary gland cells, isolated in mice, are the originators of all forms of breast tissue.

Researchers believe that as well as driving breast development, they may play a crucial role in cancer.

Rogue stem cells are likely to be resistant to chemotherapy and could spark off a recurrence of breast cancer that was thought to have been eliminated.

It is hoped the discovery could eventually lead to a drug to switch off the stem cells.

But first it will be necessary to determine the exact makeup of genes in normal and rogue cells.

A drug can then be designed to neutralise genes that are faulty.

The research, from two Australian and Canadian-led teams, is reported today in the journal Nature.