Professor researches breast cancer prevention
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/21/2009
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Researching breast cancer prevention is rare, but one Purdue professor is leading the field.
The research of understanding how phenotypically normal breast epithelial structures develop into tumors is lead by Sophie Lelièvre, doctor of veterinary medicine and associate professor of basic medical sciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine. The research is trying to prevent breast cancer by studying how a normal breast tissue weakens and gives rise to tumors.
“We hope to be able to identify the earliest changes in the breast tissue before cancer develops, then treat these changes so that the tumor cannot arise,” said Lelièvre.
The goal is to detect changes in the mammary tissue’s organization and related changes in its gene expression in the early stages of illness.
Studies in breast cancer prevention is rare because most research is in treatment.
“This is the new frontier of cancer research,” said Kevin Doerr, director of alumni relations and public affairs at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
Researchers are studying how nutrition affects tissue polarity as well. Normally, each cell is in close contact to neighboring cells. The most important contact for the polarization in epithelial cells is the tight junction. The cell attaches its membranes to neighboring cells so tightly that membrane proteins cannot overcome this barrier. Researchers are examining the effects of dietary compounds on polarity using tissue culture models that mimic the organization of normal-looking breast epithelium. The effect of nutrition in mammary tumor development in animals has been seen, although researchers have not yet looked at the polarity status in normal-looking tissue.
“We believe that a change in tissue polarity is necessary before a tumor can develop,” said Lelièvre.
Lelièvre’s research, though focusing primarily on breast cancer prevention, does not rule early treatment out.
“The treatments must be extremely mild,” said Lelièvre. “Because of this, we are looking at the effect of nutrition on mammary tumor development that can be seen in animals and ways to revert the conditions if they exist.”
Research also includes examining environmental influences on tissue polarity and determining risk factors. Despite the complexity of her research, Lelièvre can sum up the goal of her research in a few words.
“We must identify, detect and revert.”