New Component in Treatment Resistant Triple Negative Breast Cancer Discovered

A recent study found the JAK-STAT gene-signaling pathway may play a role in triple negative breast cancer’s (TNBC) resistance to treatment.

Researchers analyzed tumor samples from 111 different patients. They then sequenced the tumor samples.

The JAK2 gene was amplified more in chemotherapy-treated TNBC tumors than it was prior to the treatment, the study found.

Patients with amplified JAK2 gene-amplified tumors also were found more likely to have a recurrence of cancer sooner and they were also more likely to die within 20 months of surgery.

Additionally, researchers also discovered that JAK2 increased in some patients where biopsies were collected at different points in treatment. These samples were noted to be similar to samples obtained after chemotherapy.

Researchers then used a JAK2-specific inhibitor, BSK805, in combination with chemotherapy, which reduced TNBC tumor growth in mice.

Researchers concluded these findings suggest a causal role for JAK2 in drug resistance.