A recent study by the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has identified microRNA-205 (miR-205) as a promising target to overcome treatment resistance in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. Antiestrogen therapies are commonly used to treat approximately 75% of breast cancers; however, relapse and resistance occur in about half of these cases. The research, published in the journal Cancers, reveals that miR-205 regulates the production of the protein MED1, which is overexpressed in 40% to 60% of breast cancers and contributes to treatment resistance. The study found an inverse relationship between miR-205 and MED1 levels, suggesting that increasing miR-205 could suppress MED1 expression and enhance the effectiveness of antiestrogen therapies.
Further experiments demonstrated that elevating miR-205 levels in treatment-resistant breast cancer cells led to a significant reduction in MED1 expression. This adjustment restored the cells’ sensitivity to antiestrogen treatments and inhibited tumor growth in preclinical models. These findings highlight the potential of miR-205-based therapies to improve outcomes for patients with ER+ breast cancer who have developed resistance to standard treatments. The research underscores the importance of exploring noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Click for More Details
