To mark Pink October, the CRCM is highlighting the work of Christophe Ginestier, Director of Research at Inserm, andEmmanuelle Charafe, Professor of Medicine at Aix-Marseille University. Together, they are exploring an innovative way to better treat breast cancer relapses, which still affect two out of ten patients despite current treatments.

For the past five years, their team has relied on a strategy of repurposing existing drugs, re-evaluating molecules already used for other diseases. After analyzing over 1,200 treatments, the researchers highlighted the potential of nifuroxazide, an antibiotic formerly prescribed for digestive tract infections.

The results obtained in preclinical models are highly encouraging: combined with chemotherapy, this drug slows tumor progression. Published in the journal Nature Communications, this work opens up a promising avenue for relapsed patients, who are often faced with a lack of effective therapeutic options.

However, nifuroxazide will have to be adapted for the use in oncology, a project undertaken in collaboration with the Institut Curie in Paris. If future trials confirm these results, a market launch within 5 to 10 years could become a reality.

Supported by the Ligue contre le cancer, this research illustrates the CRCM’s commitment to transforming fundamental science into concrete advances for patients, and to making the fight against breast cancer a priority, especially in this month of Pink October.

This work was highlighted by France 3. Read the article here.