Two new previously unrecognized types of breast cells identified--WHY important?

[Lani]

this should remind everyone that there is much more still unknown about normal breasts and breast cancer than is known.

This is not reassuring to many and I try to offer hope---but in many ways it should be hope reaffirming.

Until we recognized these kinds of cells we could not look for them and study them and see if we can target the abnormalities which cause breast cancer so that we might even prevent it.

If you think they are running out of options for you, just remember there are new discoveries daily and some involve already approved drugs or even non-drugs.

These cells have sat there since the dawn of time, but only now were they recognized. If you don't look, you won't find. Let's hope they keep on looking

Nat Cell Biol. 2013 Apr 21. doi: 10.1038/ncb2725. [Epub ahead of print]
Notch2 genetic fate mapping reveals two previously unrecognized mammary epithelial lineages.
Sale S, Lafkas D, Artavanis-Tsakonas S.
Source
Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Abstract
Notch signalling is implicated in stem and progenitor cell fate control in numerous organs. Using conditional in vivo genetic labelling we traced the fate of cells expressing the Notch2 receptor paralogue and uncovered the existence of two previously unrecognized mammary epithelial cell lineages that we term S (Small) and L (Large). S cells appear in a bead-on-a-string formation and are embedded between the luminal and basal/myoepithelial layers in a unique reiterative pattern, whereas single or paired L cells appear among ductal and alveolar cells. Long-term lineage tracing and functional studies indicate that S and L cells regulate ipsi- and contralateral spatial placement of tertiary branches and formation of alveolar clusters. Our findings revise present models of mammary epithelial cell hierarchy, reveal a hitherto undescribed mechanism regulating branching morphogenesis and may have important implications for identification of the cell-of-origin of distinct breast cancer subtypes.
PMID: 23604318

[Rolepaul]

Lani is right. Each of these discoveries leads to new treatment methods, and new drugs for the people on the bench to help with the problems. Then it gets turned over to the development people to make enough to try in animals, then a few women who are very ill. Finally we get the background information to be able to present treatments for patients that doctors will feel comfortable using. It is hard to realize that most of the treatments that are discussed on this board were developed since 1985, and many in the past 10 years! You have a chance to be given a cancer free rest of your life. It is my industry's job to make sure it is a 1 in 2 or better chance and not a 1:1,000,000 shot.

[suzan w]

I actually understand what you referred to, Lani. It seems only likely that as more and more is learned about human cells that more will be revealed. And then we have to concern ourselves with cellular changes due to GMOs and such, toxins in our environment, etc. It almost seems that each type of breast, and all types, of cancers are as individual as each one of us is.

[SoCalGal]

http://www.voanews.com/content/teenager-prize-cancer-test-jack-andraka/1603357.html

There is a young -- TEENAGE -- guy who has discovered a simple test to detect pancreatic cancer. Also works for ovarian. His name is Jack Andraka. Was just at the White House for the Earth Day science fair.

Young people with types of minds are the hope for a cure. They are our future. Otherwise we are stuck with the current medical community who do not think outside the box as a whole.

(The trial I tried last year was also created by someone not in the cancer medical field. Although the effects didn't last, the approach was completely different and novel.)

I am encouraged by some of the brilliant YOUNG minds who can approach our world with a fresh look!

[Lani]

I met Jack Andraka and listened to his talk @ Singularity University earlier this year (google it, maybe the talk is available)

We now have millions of more scientists in China researching than we did 20 years ago and computers can crunch data at assymptotically faster speeds.

The regulators, insurers, bean counters and those who don't think outside the box and keep old guidelines in place are the counterforce providing traction and inertia to overcome.

Still hopeful, though

[Ellie F]

Thanks Lani
Your comments about China and also the Far East are very true. We now have many more brilliant minds working in the problem and thinking laterally. I hope and pray we see real progress soon.we can't carry on doing the same things but expecting a different outcome!
Ellie