Scottish researchers have uncovered a groundbreaking way to prevent breast cancer from spreading by targeting how the disease hijacks the body’s immune system. Scientists from the University of Glasgow and Cancer Research UK have found that breast cancer alters certain immune cells, causing them to release a protein called uracil. This protein helps cancer cells latch onto other organs and grow.
In an exciting turn, the team blocked this process in mice by targeting an enzyme known as uridine phosphorylase-1 (UPP1), which produces uracil. Once blocked, the immune system was able to fight off secondary cancer cells, stopping the disease from spreading further.
This discovery could transform cancer treatment. Detecting uracil in the bloodstream may become an early warning sign of metastasis. Blocking UPP1 with drugs could offer a new line of defense before the cancer spreads. Dr. Cassie Clarke, lead researcher, described the findings as “a major shift in how we think about preventing the spread of cancer.”
Dr. Catherine Elliot of Cancer Research UK stressed that metastasis is what makes breast cancer deadly, and this finding brings hope of early intervention that could save lives. The statistics highlight the urgency: breast cancer is the most common cancer in Nigeria, with nearly 30,000 new cases and over 16,000 deaths each year. In the UK, 56,000 women are diagnosed annually with more than 11,500 deaths, while the US sees 266,000 new cases and 40,000 deaths. Experts warn global breast cancer cases could climb to 3.2 million a year.
Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said this discovery could also help stop the spread of other types of cancer. He emphasized the need to turn this insight into actual treatments.
While this development is promising, early detection remains critical. Warning signs include a lump in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge, or skin changes such as redness, dimpling, or crusting. Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, many women still do not perform regular breast self-checks.
This new research offers a powerful step forward. With further development, it could signal the start of a new era in cancer care—where the spread of cancer can be detected early and stopped in its tracks.
