Researchers at Åbo Akademi discover mechanism regulating breast cancer progression

Researchers at Åbo Akademi in Finland have identified a previously unknown mechanism that controls harmful structural changes in breast cancer tissue, potentially enabling new treatments for aggressive forms of the disease, according to a university press release.

The discovery was made by the inFlames research group, led by Professor Cecilia Sahlgren, which studies the human immune and defence systems. Their findings, published in the journal Science Advances, reveal how the Jagged1 protein—known to be present in hormone-independent, malignant breast cancers—drives tumour growth and spread.

Jagged1 was found to enhance communication between cancer cells and fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing and shaping the extracellular matrix. This interaction increases collagen production and stiffens the tissue structure, which in turn raises Jagged1 levels in cancer cells, creating a feedback loop that worsens patient prognosis.

“We observed that Jagged1 boosts tumour growth and metastasis while reducing survival rates, particularly in patients with aggressive breast cancer,” said doctoral researcher Marjaana Parikainen in the statement. The study used cancer models and patient data to map the protein’s role in restructuring tumour tissue.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally. While early-stage localised cases often have good outcomes, metastatic cancer—where the disease spreads to other tissues—carries a far poorer prognosis. Current targeted therapies are ineffective against hormone-independent forms, making this research a potential step toward new precision treatments.