For Immediate Release
June 8, 2005

Dr. Nicoletta Sacchi to Present Breast Cancer Gene Study at Era of Hope Meeting

BUFFALO, NY – Nicoletta Sacchi, PhD, Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), will present the results of a study titled, “Learning How to Awaken RARß2 Tumor Suppressor Activity in Breast Cancer Cells” at the Fourth Annual Era of Hope meeting for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, June 8 – 11, Philadelphia, PA.

Normal breast epithelial cells respond to natural growth inhibitory factors like retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive derivative of Vitamin A. In contrast, most breast cancer cell lines and primary tumors are not growth-inhibited by RA. Loss of RA-responsiveness is often associated with loss of expression of the retinoic acid receptor b2 (RARb2), consequent to epigenetic modifications of RARb2 chromatin. Epigenetic modifications at both the DNA and the histone level can be reversed by specific drugs.

This study shows that reactivation of an epigenetically silenced RARb2 requires a drug capable not only of targeting the epigenetic changes at RARb2 but also of restoring the availability of critical factors necessary for RARb2 regulation. The information derived from this study widens our knowledge of gene silencing, which is mandatory for improving the epigenetic therapy of breast cancer.

“These new findings are critical to further improve the strategy of awakening RA-signaling with the combination of chromatin drugs and retinoic acid, which we proposed back in 2002 and it is currently in Phase I clinical trials for metastatic cancer,” noted Dr. Sacchi.

The Era of Hope meeting provides a forum for scientists, physicians, breast cancer survivors and advocates, policymakers and the general public to learn about advances against breast cancer. The meeting highlights the multidisciplinary and innovative approaches funded by the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program in its effort to eradicate breast cancer.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit the RPCI website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

-30-