Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.3 million women will be diagnosed with the disease in 2022, and about 670,000 will die from the disease. Although treatments have improved in recent years, some forms of breast cancer are particularly aggressive and difficult to manage. One of the biggest challenges doctors face is that there is no reliable way to predict how these rapidly growing cancers will progress.
A new research initiative called Biomarker Research, which integrates data from glycoimmune signatures and clinical evidence in breast cancer, is working to address this gap. This project focuses on finding better ways to detect and treat aggressive breast cancer by identifying biological clues that reveal how breast cancer behaves in each patient.
These clues, known as biomarkers (measurable biological signals in blood, tissue, and other samples), help doctors monitor how cancer progresses over time and decide on treatments. For example, certain biomarkers may indicate whether a tumor is likely to grow rapidly or respond to certain treatments.
Study how tumors interact with the immune system
The project brings together researchers from the Technical Institute Antonio Xavier (ITQB NOVA) of the NOVA University of Lisbon (ITQB NOVA) and the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPOFG — Lisbon Francisco Portuguese Institute of Oncology). Their research focuses on understanding how cancer cells interact with their surroundings, often referred to as the tumor microenvironment.
This environment includes not only cancer cells but also nearby immune cells, blood vessels, and other supporting structures. The research team is particularly interested in small molecules found on the surface of cells in this environment. These molecules may play an important role in helping tumors evade detection by the immune system, effectively allowing cancer to grow unchecked.
Unraveling the “communication” between tumors and immune cells
“We have previously identified how tumors communicate with specific cells of the immune system to protect themselves,” explains Catarina Brito, leader of ITQB NOVA’s Advanced Cellular Models Laboratory. She continued: “At BRIDGE, we aim to validate these findings using real patient samples and translate this knowledge into clinical applications.”
To do this, IPOFG will provide patient samples to help confirm whether the results hold up in real-world clinical settings. This step is important for turning laboratory discoveries into practical tools that doctors can use.
“By discovering new biomarkers, we hope to contribute to more accurate treatment,” Katarina concluded.
Aiming for more personalized breast cancer care
Researchers hope that a better understanding of how tumors evade immune attack will open new avenues in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. This includes identifying biomarkers that can be used to track the disease and developing new therapeutic targets that may lead to more effective treatments.
The ultimate goal is to move toward more personalized care, where treatment is tailored to the specific characteristics of each patient’s cancer, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Funding and future impact
The BRIDGE project is supported by the iNOVA4Health Lighthouse Projects (LHP) 2025 program. This program funds research that has a high likelihood of transitioning from the laboratory to clinical practice. The initiative aims to accelerate progress in tackling major health challenges by fostering collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and technical experts.
Over the next two years, the project will receive up to €75,000 to support its activities. Researchers hope this investment will help accelerate the development of new strategies to better understand, monitor and treat some of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
