Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has revealed new insights into the role of a long non-coding RNA known as MALAT1 in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In a pioneering study published in Molecular Therapy: Oncology, researchers tracked the levels of MALAT1 during the treatment journey of a 59-year-old woman diagnosed with stage 1 TNBC. The findings suggest that MALAT1 may play a significant role in the disease’s spread.
Initial observations indicate that MALAT1 levels were elevated at the time of diagnosis. As the patient underwent standard treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy over a period of two and a half years, MALAT1 levels decreased. Notably, however, researchers recorded an increase in MALAT1 at a distant metastatic site, suggesting its involvement in the cancer’s spread.
Disha Aggarwal, a graduate student who led the study, emphasized the uniqueness of this approach. “Even though MALAT1 has been implicated in different cancers, including breast cancer, nobody has looked at how MALAT1 levels change over treatment and disease progression,” she stated. This longitudinal analysis allowed researchers to examine tissue samples collected throughout the patient’s treatment, providing insights that are rarely available in cancer research.
The patient, who eventually faced metastatic cancer, unfortunately passed away three and a half years after her diagnosis. Despite this tragic outcome, her case may offer valuable information for future cancer treatments. According to David Spector, a professor at CSHL, the depth of their analysis was unprecedented. “Researchers typically get to see an initial sample and an end sample, but not progressive samples in the depth that we were able to look at here,” Spector noted.
Looking ahead, the Spector lab has been collaborating with Ionis Pharmaceuticals since 2015 to develop a drug specifically targeting MALAT1. They are currently in discussions with biotech companies, aiming to initiate a clinical trial within the next few years.
Beyond therapeutic applications, the research team is also investigating whether MALAT1 could assist in predicting the risk of cancer recurrence or metastasis. If successful, this could enhance treatment strategies not only for women diagnosed with TNBC but also for patients with other, less severe forms of breast cancer.
The implications of this study underscore the potential of targeting non-coding RNAs, a relatively unexplored area in cancer research. As researchers continue to unravel the complexities of cancer biology, findings like those from CSHL may contribute to more personalized and effective treatment options in the future.
