10 October 2007
International recognition for breast cancer researchers
Dr Hadwen Trust-funded researchers Professor Louise Jones and Dr Deborah Holliday have received international interest in their work after promotion by the Trust on BBC News online.
Professor Jones and her research team at the Institute of Cancer, Queen Mary’s, University of London are developing 3D multicellular models of normal breast and pre-invasive breast cancer, to replace animal models in this area. The pre-invasive cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for 20% of all breast cancers, but this is the first time a complex dual-population in vitro model has been developed and maintained in short term culture.
The research team has been able to purify and co-culture three different cell types from normal and malignant breast tissue – populations of myoepithelial, luminal and fibroblast cells. Using 3-D collagen gels, myoepithelial cells gather around the luminal cells and establish polarity (measured by biochemical markers), adding fibroblasts produces both further complexity and functional integrity. The structures resemble those that are found in the glandular tissue of the human breast.
Lead researcher on the Trust-supported project, Professor Louise Jones said on BBC Online: “We grew the cells in three dimensions, which allows them to form structures similar to the structures found in breast tissue.
“We feel this is a huge advance, we’ve started to get the complexity which we normally get with animal experiments.
“Once this is validated it could certainly reduce if not replace animal experiments”.
Professor Jones added: “Because of screening, we’re detecting DCIS much more frequently and so it’s become much more of a clinical problem.”
The funding and publicity of their work by the Dr Hadwen Trust, has helped the team to present at international conferences and they are already planning to increase the complexity of the models and adapt them for other cancers.
Read an interview with Professor Louise Jones here