CNIO researchers identify osteopontin protein as target for breast cancer treatment

Researchers at the Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) have identified the osteopontin protein as a key factor in breast cancer treatment resistance. The study, led by Miguel Quintela, reveals that tumor cells produce osteopontin in response to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) caused by antiangiogenic drugs.

This protein reprograms immune cells to protect the tumor rather than attacking it, which reduces the effectiveness of both antiangiogenic therapies and immunotherapy. In animal models, researchers successfully blocked osteopontin, resulting in reduced tumor hypoxia and allowing the immune system to regain its ability to destroy cancer cells. The findings suggest that targeting osteopontin could prevent resistance and enhance the efficacy of existing cancer treatments.