Could a leukaemia drug help fight breast cancer?
A leukaemia drug may help stop breast cancer from spreading to the brain — but the evidence is still early.
Researchers studied HER2-positive breast cancer, a subtype that can be especially dangerous when it metastasizes to the brain.
They focused on two enzymes called ABL1 and ABL2 kinases. These enzymes appear to help cancer cells build up HER2 protein on their surface, supporting growth and spread.
In mouse experiments, blocking ABL signalling with Asciminib, a drug already approved for certain leukaemia patients, reduced the ability of HER2-positive breast cancer cells to colonize the brain.
The treatment also improved survival in preclinical models.
This does not mean Asciminib is ready to treat breast cancer patients.
Human trials are still needed to test safety, dose, and whether the same effect happens in people.
But it points to a possible new way to target breast cancer after it reaches the brain.
Research Paper
McKernan et al., “ABL kinases regulate translation in HER2+ cells through Y-box-binding protein 1 to facilitate colonization of the brain”, Cell Reports (2022)
