Inbiomotion SL, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech and a company in the portfolio of Ysios Capital (member too), has announced the publication in Nature Cell Biology of key data further elucidating the biology around the MAF biomarker. 

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, with more than 2 million new cases diagnosed each year. In cases where the tumour remains localized in the breast, survival rates are remarkably high, at around 90%. However, the spread of cancer cells beyond breast tissue and the formation of metastases in other organs dramatically worsens the prognosis and poses significant challenges. Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and, of these, 15 20% will eventually develop metastases. Therefore, being able to identify those patients with a higher risk of recurrence and being able to personalize their treatment is vital for their survival and quality of life. 

A team from IRB Barcelona led by ICREA researcher Dr. Roger Gomis, co-founder of Inbiomotion, has revealed the mechanism by which the MAF protein increases the risk of metastasis in breast cancer patients. This finding is a crucial step in understanding the molecular basis of metastasis and has relevant clinical implications for treatment. 

The research team has detailed in the journal Nature Cell Biology how the MAF protein interacts with the estrogen receptor, a key element in the development of breast cancer, modifying its structure. This interaction leads to DNA restructuring, which allows the activation of genes that favour metastasis, particularly in response to estrogen. These findings imply that patients with high levels of MAF protein have a greater risk of developing metastasis. 

The MAF-TEST® is already being commercialized in Europe predicts the prognosis of breast cancer patients and helps oncologists to identify those patients who may be able to prevent recurrence and benefit from adjuvant treatment with bisphosphonates, which are commonly used to treat osteoporosis. The test also identifies those patients whose prognosis would worsen if treated with bisphosphonates. 

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Related news: 

• Palex and Inbiomotion have signed an agreement to start marketing MAF-TEST® 

• Study shows that selection of breast cancer patients for adjuvant bisphosphonate therapy based on Inbiomotion’s MAFTEST® reduces the risk of death in comparison with current clinical guidance