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A protein called MPP8 may be why some triple-negative breast cancers stop responding to chemotherapy. Researchers at Roswell Park found that MPP8 helps cancer cells repair DNA damage caused by chemo — and that suppressing it makes tumors vulnerable again. The findings could pave the way for more personalized treatment strategies for TNBC patients.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, and roughly half of patients either don't respond to chemotherapy or develop resistance over time. Now, researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center may have found a key culprit: a protein called MPP8. Their preclinical study, published in Advanced Science, shows that MPP8 helps cancer cells repair the DNA damage that chemotherapy is designed to cause — essentially letting tumors shrug off treatment.
The team found that higher MPP8 expression ramps up DNA repair activity, fueling chemo resistance, while suppressing MPP8 re-sensitizes cancer cells to treatment. They also uncovered a new mechanism by which MPP8 hijacks the dominant DNA repair pathway in human cells to protect tumors from chemotherapy.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: TNBC has the worst prognosis of any breast cancer subtype, and treatment options are limited. Identifying MPP8 as a driver of resistance opens a new avenue for precision oncology in a patient population that desperately needs better options.
