7th FERO Fellowship – Dr. Arkaitz Carracedo

Certain types of breast cancer still have a poor prognosis. This study investigated how the most aggressive breast cancer subtype works in order to obtain crucial information for finding solutions. As a result, a molecular marker was identified in this type of tumour that indicates its aggressiveness and its ability to spread. This information has been crucial in demonstrating that, by inhibiting this marker, aggressive breast cancer cells lose their ability to metastasise.

These results are another step forward in an international strategy to tailor treatments according to the molecular characteristics of cancer (the tumour’s barcode). To develop personalised therapies, we need two fundamental tools: the marker that allows us to identify tumours (the barcode reader) and the drug that works for each barcode.