Monoclonal Antibodies in Treating Breast Cancer

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Introduction – Breasts and Lymphatic Glands

Definitions

Breasts

The organic substance breasts are made up of include:

1. The Lobes within Glandular tissues.
2. The Connective Tissues.
3. The Fat.

There is a complete spread-work of milk ducts running from lobes to the nipples. It is here in the ducts that cancer cells take birth, develop and grow into lumps and tumours. (CancerHelp UK, 26 September 2007).

Lymphatic Glands

Also under the skin runs the tail of breast tissue, which goes up to under the armpit called the axilla. There are several lymph glands under the armpits called lymph nodes under medical terminology. A thick jungle of lymph glands around the breasts is, as a matter of fact, a part of the human body’s entire lymphatic system. These lymph nodes go up to the centre of your chest, making up the ‘ internal mammary chain.’ The function of the lymphatic system, which comprises lymph glands, is to get rid of waste from the body. The tissue fluid containing body cells is drained away into the lymphatic system and is recycled.

The most important function of the lymph glands is that their tissue fluid carries the cancer cells that have been detached from the tumour to the closely located lymph gland. It is because of this important function that doctors usually examine the lymph glands before anything else. The examination result showing that there are no cancer cells present in the lymph glands is a clear indication that breast cancer is most unlikely to spread anymore. (CancerHelp UK, 26 September 2007)

About Breast Cancer

The breast, which is like an upside-down tree, consists of the tissues supported by the network of connective tissues within the flesh and fat. Thus the leaves of this imaginary up-turned tree can be compared to the breast tree whose lobules produces milk, and then the milk is drained into 12 to 15 main ducts, which in turn empty onto the nipple surface. This process can be understood by comparing it to those branches of a tree that drain onto the trunk.

It is within this connecting line of lobules and the ducts that the cancer cells originate from the already present cells that line the breast. If the cancer cells remain confined to the lining of lobules and ducts, there are chances that these will not spread and remain non-invasive. This condition is often referred to by doctors as the pre-cancer symptoms because the cancer cells have yet not gained enough strength to spread any further. But once the cancer cells gain vitality and become strong enough to move outside the lobules and ducts, they become dangerous. This condition of the cancer cell moving outside to other tissues surrounding the breast is referred to as Invasive Cancer. (Dixon, J. Michael., 2005)

When enough cancer cells from the breast tissues accumulate, they form into a kind of lump. In secondary breast cancer, i.e. invasive cancer, the malignant cancer cells invade the breast tissue; damage the lobule and duct lining; can break off from the parent lump to spread into the lymph channels and sometimes into the bloodstream. Therefore, the most common breast cancer, which develops from the ducts, is called the “Invasive Ductal Carcinoma“, while the breast cancers arising from the lobules, and which is less common, is known as the “Invasive Lobular Carcinomas“.

Causes of Breast Cancer

Some of the risk factors associated with breast cancer include:

1. The Ageing factor; most breast cancer cases occurring in postmenopausal women.
2. The Hereditary factor: breast cancer associated with gene mutations, which is inherited.
3. The Infertility factor: not giving birth to children.
4. The Periods factor: the periods are starting early & the menopause going into the late stage.
5. The Hormone factor: getting excessive HRT (hormone replacement therapy).
6. The Weight factor: gaining weight & becoming overweight
7. The Alcoholic factor: the excessive intake of alcohol. (Health Issues, BBC; n.p.n.d.).

Breast Cancer Statistics

According to the authentic survey, approximately one million women around the world fall prey or get affected by malignant or invasive breast cancer. From among this figure worldwide, at least 30% of females living in the UK are the victims of breast cancer. A report from a recent study shows that breast cancer accounts for nearly 1 in every 9 women in female breast cancer in the United Kingdom. (Dixon, J. Michael., 2005)

Breast Cancer Symptoms

When changes begin to appear on the breast, you must be watchful of the changes that could be due to breast cancer. Such changes are:

1. Thickening of the area, especially near the nipples.
2. A visible change in the shape or size of the breast.
3. Breast skin getting pulled from the inside (tethering)
4. An unusual sensation or pain in the breast.
5. The appearance of dimples on the skin of the breast.
6. They are sinking or turning in nipples into the breast.
7. A discharge of blood-stained liquid from the nipples.
8. It is causing of rash on the nipple or on the halo (the light-coloured area surrounding the nipple) of the breast.
9. A lump or some sort of swelling in your armpit. (CancerHelp UK, 2007).

The lumps in the breast, which are ordinarily formed during routine-body-function, are called general lumps. These general lumps, which occur in 90% of women, are not cancer lumps. Such lumps, which are common in younger women, disappear after a short while with little care and treatment. These routine lumps are clinically referred to as ‘benign lumps’. The benign lumps commonly appear in women over 35 years just before their periods. These are quite common to sacs or cysts of fluid within the breast tissues. The benign lumps also tend to appear especially in younger women in their fibrous glandular tissues of the breast called Fibroadenoma. (CancerHelp UK, 26 September 2007)

How Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed

If the above breast cancer symptoms begin to show signs in any woman, then that woman must rush to consult her doctor so that the cause of such symptoms can be determined. If breast cancer is detected at an early stage, there are bright chances of its cure. The usual questions asked by a doctor or surgeon are:

1. Does the relationship between the lump and the menstrual cycle vary?
2. History of the breast problems, if any?
3. Did any member of her family suffered from breast cancer in the past?
4. How many children has she had?
5. About periods whether normal or early?

The various methods involved in the diagnosis of breast cancer include:

1. Physical Examination
2. The Procedure involving Mammograms
3. The Ultrasound Scanning Process
4. The Needle-test Method (FNAC)
5. Removing the Lump Method (Dixon, J. Michael., 2005).

The Treatment of Breast Cancer

Although there are no quick-cure treatments for breast cancer, yet many effective treatments discovered through research over the years has brought down the death rate due to breast cancer, especially in the UK in recent years.

If a proper diagnosis is carried out to confirm breast cancer, then the aptest treatment can be employed. The time period involved to cure breast cancer depends on the following factors:

1. How much the tumour has spread, whether in the advanced stage, i.e. secondary cancer.
2. The degree of receptive nature of the breast cancer
3. The general condition of the patient according to physical fitness standards.
4. Whether the patient is having periods or is in the menopausal stage.
5. The personal desires or wishes of the patient. (Health Issues, BBC; n.p.n.d.)

Defining Monoclonal Antibody

Definitions

Monoclonal

The adjective ‘monoclonal’ has been derived from a single clone, i.e. it pertains to a single cell.

Antibody

The antibody is the extraordinary serum protein, which is produced by the immune system and is a reaction to an antigen. The serum protein thus produced mitigates the effects of the antigens.

Note: the antibodies present in the blood point out to the exposure to a particular antigen. The white blood cells, when open to foreign substances, produce a special kind of protein. The antibodies in the body protect against the fatal attacks by different foreign substances as bacteria and viruses, and by thus attaching themselves to such foreign substances come to play an active role in the overall immune response. (V. w5, V. w6).

Monoclonal Antibody

Monoclonal Antibody is the antibody that is produced by a single clone of B cells and therefore consists of similar antibody molecules, all of which are quite particular for a single antigenic. Originating from hybridoma cell lines culture process is considered a high-value determinant for commercial, research and medical diagnosis purposes. (B73).

Antigen

The antigen is a foreign protein substance, usually, a toxin, which produces a response that is quite immune. The usual sources of antigens are viruses and bacteria. (Free Medical Dictionary – Keywords, n.p.n.d.).

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for Breast Cancer

The purpose and motive behind the Antibody Treatments for invasive or secondary breast cancer are to prevent cancer cells from growing further and in order that they do not multiply and spread to other organs of the body. The usual and natural antibodies in the body, which we already know, are the ones that help us to fight bacteria, viruses and other infections. These identify the microbes which continue invading and which attach themselves to proteins on their surface in order that the immune cells present within our body can destroy them. There are also certain antibodies that scientists can produce in laboratories.

For instance, in the treatment of breast cancer, scientists produce such antibodies, which can attach themselves to major proteins on cancer cells. All cancer cells, including breast cancer cells, need the growth capability within the blood to help boost their multiplication. In such factors that help them grow further and multiply, they require to get themselves attached to the proteins of the cells. Thus by employing the process which involves the blocking of these proteins on cancer cells with antibodies, the physicians are able to stop their growth capability.

The most proficient target protein that scientists have so far discovered in the treatment of breast cancer is commonly known as the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor). Nearly 1 in 5 women with secondary breast cancer in the UK have unusually high levels of HER2. If diagnosis confirms that there are all the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, you can still take a test to determine whether you have HER2 of a high level and acute nature. If the results of the test show your HER2 levels to be high and positive, you might have to undergo antibody treatment so as to block HER2 and stop your breast cancer from getting wider and spreading further.

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) – The Latest Breast Cancer Treatment

The best available treatment for secondary breast cancer today is known as the “Trastuzumab” in medical terms and with its brand name called Herceptin. However, the scientists in the field of this breast cancer research are working on other new antibody treatments for its sooner and more effective-most cure. For those who desperately need information about the latest studies and research for especially invasive or secondary breast cancer, they can turn to the “National Cancer Research Network at Cancer Research UK and CancerHelp UK.

References

Dixon, J. Michael. (2005). Web.

CancerHelp UK (2007). Breast Cancer Symptoms. Cancer Research UK 2002; Charity No. 1089464. Web.

CancerHelp UK (2007). “The breasts and lymphatic system.” Web.

Health Issues. “Breast Cancer.” Web.

Keyword Definition. ” Monoclonal Antibody.” Web.

Medical Dictionary (the free dictionary). “monoclonal antibodies”. Web.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer. “Antibody Treatments for Secondary Breast Cancer.” Web.

Cancer Backup. “Trastuzumab (Herceptin) as treatment for secondary breast cancer.” Web.

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