A study conducted by the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute at the University of Glasgow has identified a metabolic pathway that could prevent breast cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, according to recent findings published in EMBO Reports.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that the disease accounts for over 14 per cent of all cancers in women, with approximately 1.8 lakh new cases and nearly 90,000 deaths reported annually. Metastasis, the spread of cancer to other organs, is a major contributor to these fatalities.
The research, led by Dr Cassie Clarke alongside Professors Jim Norman and Karen Blyth, found that breast cancer changes the metabolism of specific immune cells. These cells release uracil, a molecule that helps distant organs build a scaffold for secondary tumour growth.
By inhibiting the enzyme uridine phosphorylase-1 (UPP1), which produces uracil, researchers were able to prevent scaffold formation in mice. This restored the immune system’s ability to destroy migrating cancer cells, effectively stopping metastasis. Dr Clarke stated, “This study represents a major shift in how we think about preventing the spread of breast cancer. By targeting these metabolic changes as early as possible, we could stop the cancer progressing and save lives.”
Dr Catherine Elliott, Director of Research at Cancer Research UK, highlighted that while breast cancer is treatable if detected early, metastasis remains the critical factor that complicates management even years after initial treatment.
The study’s implications for India are significant. Limited awareness, late diagnosis, and restricted access to advanced treatment mean secondary breast cancer accounts for a large share of fatalities. A diagnostic tool detecting uracil in the blood could act as an early-warning system, particularly in Tier II and Tier III cities.
Targeting UPP1 could also provide an affordable therapeutic approach, potentially more cost-effective than advanced immunotherapies, for Indian patients.
While the current findings are based on laboratory studies in mice, researchers are optimistic about translating the results into human clinical trials. The discovery may also inform treatments for other cancers that spread through similar mechanisms.
The breakthrough underscores the need for investment in translational cancer research in India, participation in global clinical trials, and development of locally manufactured drugs. If implemented clinically, the Glasgow study could significantly improve survival rates for women facing breast cancer in India.