Epithelial-to-Germline Transition in Breast Carcinoma

Researchers from the Research and Development Division of ICPM (P7 Medicine), in collaboration with scientists at the Iran Cancer Institute, have made a groundbreaking discovery that could reshape how breast cancer is diagnosed and treated in the future.

In a recent study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the team explored a fascinating biological phenomenon: the reactivation of genes typically expressed only in male germline cells—cells responsible for sperm production—within breast cancer tissues. This process, known as “epithelial-germline transition” (EGT), suggests that cancer cells may hijack developmental programs from early embryonic or reproductive stages to gain survival advantages.

Using advanced approaches, the researchers identified 455 genes that were consistently overexpressed in tumor samples. Among these, five key genes (CCNB1, CCNB2, PTTG1, RACGAP1, and UBE2C) stood out due to their strong association with cell cycle regulation, proliferation, and genomic instability. The results confirmed that these germline-like genes were not only active in cancer cells but were predominantly expressed in the tumor stroma, the supportive tissue surrounding cancer cells. This highlights the critical role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and resistance to therapy.

The implications of this research are profound. By identifying germline-like genes as potential biomarkers, clinicians may be able to detect aggressive breast cancers earlier and more accurately. Moreover, these genes represent promising therapeutic targets. Drugs designed to inhibit their function could disrupt the cancer cells’ ability to divide, survive, and metastasize—without affecting normal somatic tissues.

This study also opens new avenues for understanding cancer as a disease of “developmental reprogramming,” where malignant cells revert to primitive states to fuel their growth. The concept of EGT challenges traditional views of cancer biology and encourages the development of precision medicine strategies that target these unique molecular signatures.

As part of P7 Medicine’s commitment to translational research and international collaboration, this project exemplifies how cross-border scientific partnerships can accelerate innovation in cancer care. The Iran Cancer Institute’s clinical expertise combined with ICPM’s systems biology approach has yielded insights that may benefit patients worldwide.

Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/18/8958