A groundbreaking antibody could revolutionize treatment for one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
Story Snapshot
- New antibody targets SFRP2 protein, fueling triple-negative breast cancer.
- Demonstrated efficacy in preclinical mouse models by slowing tumor growth.
- Potential to overcome chemotherapy resistance and restore immune function.
- Licensed for clinical trials, with FDA orphan designations for osteosarcoma.
Introduction to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, lacking the three receptors commonly targeted in treatment: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2. This makes it notoriously difficult to treat, with high rates of relapse and metastasis. Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center have identified SFRP2, a protein that drives TNBC growth, metastasis, and immune suppression.
The discovery of SFRP2’s role in cancer progression dates back to 2008, but recent developments have focused on engineering an antibody to block this protein. This antibody, now licensed to Innova Therapeutics, has shown promise in preclinical studies, where it not only slowed tumor growth but also reduced metastasis and restored immune cell activity in mouse models.
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Mechanism of Action and Clinical Development
The antibody works by specifically targeting SFRP2, which is abundant in TNBC tumors and immune cells. By blocking this protein, the antibody shifts macrophages to an anti-tumor M1 state without introducing direct interferon-gamma toxicity. This restores the activity of exhausted T-cells and demonstrates potential efficacy even after chemotherapy resistance, such as with doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for TNBC.
The preclinical results have been promising enough to warrant further investigation, leading to its licensing by Innova Therapeutics for clinical trials. The antibody’s ability to accumulate selectively in tumors, without affecting healthy tissues, makes it a compelling candidate for a precision therapy approach.
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Impact on Current Breast Cancer Treatment Landscape
The introduction of this antibody into clinical trials could supplement existing treatments and offer new hope for patients with TNBC, especially those who have exhausted other treatment options. Recent advancements in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), like sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy), have already started to shift the treatment paradigm for TNBC, offering improved survival rates and better outcomes when combined with immunotherapies like pembrolizumab (Keytruda).
Should the SFRP2-targeting antibody prove effective in human trials, it could complement these existing therapies, providing a multi-faceted approach to combat TNBC’s aggressive nature, drug resistance, and immune evasion.
This new antibody may stop one of the deadliest breast cancers – https://t.co/1Trn9iKhdr
— Ken Gusler (@kgusler) January 23, 2026
The broader implications of this research extend beyond TNBC, with potential applications in other cancers where SFRP2 plays a role, such as osteosarcoma. The FDA has already granted orphan drug designations, which could expedite the development process and bring this innovative treatment to patients sooner.
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Sources:
This new antibody may stop one of the deadliest breast cancers
New England Journal of Medicine publishes Phase 3 ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19 results
The science behind hope: 5 breakthrough areas in breast cancer research from 2025
ADC combination outperforms standard treatment of advanced triple-negative breast cancer
