EurekAlert! In the Spotlight - Breast Cancer Awareness

This month, we're turning our attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, supporting early detection, and highlighting the ongoing research shaping the future of breast cancer treatment and prevention.

First comprehensive look at breast cancer in Native American women reveals key genetic differences

University of Notre Dame
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have published the first known detailed study of breast cancer tissue from Native American women. The study, published in npj Precision Oncology, reveals important molecular differences that may impact the efficacy of therapies for female, Native American breast cancer patients.

Journal: npj Precision Oncology
Funder: U.S. Department of Defense

27-May-2026

Breast cancer: New approach to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies

Medical University of Vienna
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Immunotherapies such as so-called checkpoint inhibitors activate the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells and have revolutionised the treatment of many types of tumour. In breast cancer, however, these therapies are often only of limited effectiveness. An international research team led by the Medical University of Vienna has now identified a previously underestimated mechanism by which breast tumours evade the immune system. The findings, currently published in the journal Nature Communications, also provide a new starting point for improving the effectiveness of immunotherapies in breast cancer.

Journal: Nature Communications

26-May-2026

Blood test detects early signs of breast cancer recurrence

Lund University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at Lund University have validated a blood-based method for measuring circulating tumor DNA in patients with early breast cancer. The method was able to identify breast cancer patients at high risk of recurrence and detect molecular signs of relapse before the disease became clinically visible using today’s standard methods.

Journal: EMBO Molecular Medicine
Funder: The Swedish Cancer Society, The Swedish Research Council, Mrs. Berta Kamprad Foundation, Vinnova, FORTE

26-May-2026

MARK2: The “bodyguard” of mutant p53 in aggressive breast cancer

HEP Data Cooperation Journals
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A novel mechanism based on targeting MARK2 to destabilize mutant p53 (mutp53) and suppress triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression, independent of its kinase activity, is provided, and a new strategy for treating mutTP53-driven TNBC is opened.

Journal: Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines

25-May-2026

Why some cancers are worse than others

Virginia Tech
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Chromosome numbers and cell size fuel cancer progression, according to new studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Cancer Research.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

25-May-2026

CIN score: A prognostic signature and predictive biomarker for breast cancer

Compuscript Ltd
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous disease and remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women globally. While various treatment approaches exist, many patients eventually experience de novo or acquired drug resistance, leading to disease progression and distant metastasis. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of cancer that significantly impacts tumor evolution and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). However, utilizing specific CIN variables to accurately predict patient prognosis and the immune landscape has remained a significant clinical challenge

Journal: Genes & Diseases
Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Rising-Star Program, Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Health Industry Clinical Research Special Project (China), The Nurturing Fund of Renji Hospital (Shanghai, China)

22-May-2026

Cholesterol-craving cancers need lipid enzymes to use metabolites for growth

Sanford Burnham Prebys
Peer-Reviewed Publication

While many American adults are trying to reduce cholesterol levels, certain cancerous tumors have a relentless appetite for the metabolite. Some tumor cells use as much cholesterol as they can access to accelerate their growth beyond the capabilities of normal cells.

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and their collaborators at the University of Illinois Chicago have published findings May 22, 2026, in Science Advances regarding a potential method for turning the table on these tumors by subverting their cholesterol cravings.

Journal: Science Advances

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

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