Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women globally, creating a persistent challenge for healthcare systems and millions of families. According to data from the World Health Organization, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease in 2022, with an estimated 670,000 deaths resulting from the condition. While medical advancements have significantly improved survival rates, a subset of aggressive tumors continues to evade standard treatments.
The primary difficulty for oncologists is not just treating these fast-growing cancers, but predicting their trajectory. Many aggressive forms of the disease possess a sophisticated ability to manipulate their surroundings, effectively creating a biological “shield” that prevents the body’s natural defenses from intervening. This process of how aggressive breast cancer turns off the immune system is a central focus of fresh research aimed at breaking the tumor’s invisibility.
A collaborative initiative known as BRIDGE (Biomarker Research Integrating Data of Glyco-Immune Signatures and Clinical Evidence in Breast Cancer) is now working to decode these signals. By identifying specific biological clues, or biomarkers, researchers hope to move away from a one-size-fits-all treatment model toward a personalized approach that can anticipate how a specific tumor will behave and which therapies will be most effective.
Decoding the Tumor Microenvironment
To understand why some cancers are more lethal than others, researchers are looking beyond the cancer cells themselves and focusing on the “tumor microenvironment.” This is the complex ecosystem surrounding a tumor, consisting of blood vessels, supporting structural cells, and, crucially, immune cells. In a healthy state, the immune system identifies and destroys malignant cells; however, aggressive tumors can “reprogram” this environment to serve their own growth.
The BRIDGE project, a partnership between the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier of NOVA University of Lisbon (ITQB NOVA) and the Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPOFG — Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil), is investigating small molecules located on the surface of cells within this microenvironment. These molecules act as a form of deceptive communication, signaling the immune system to stand down or ignore the presence of the cancer.
By studying these glyco-immune signatures, the team aims to identify exactly which molecules the tumor uses to mask itself. If doctors can detect these biomarkers in blood or tissue samples, they can determine if a patient’s cancer is actively suppressing their immune response, allowing for a more aggressive or targeted intervention before the disease progresses further.
From Laboratory Discovery to Clinical Application
The transition from a laboratory finding to a bedside treatment is often the most difficult stage of medical research. To bridge this gap, the project is utilizing real-world patient samples provided by the IPOFG. This allows scientists to validate whether the biomarkers identified in controlled lab settings are present and predictive in actual clinical cases.
Catarina Brito, leader of the Advanced Cell Models laboratory at ITQB NOVA, emphasizes the necessity of this validation process. “We have previously identified how tumors communicate with certain cells of the immune system to protect themselves,” Brito stated, noting that the goal of the BRIDGE project is to “validate these findings using real patient samples and translate this knowledge into clinical applications.”
The ultimate objective is the development of precise therapies. If a biomarker can reveal the specific “off switch” a tumor is using to disable the immune system, pharmacists and researchers can develop drugs designed to flip that switch back on, restoring the body’s ability to fight the cancer.
The Role of Biomarkers in Personalized Care
Biomarkers are measurable biological signals—such as proteins, genes, or molecules—found in blood, tissues, or other biological samples. In the context of aggressive breast cancer, they serve three critical functions:
- Risk Stratification: Helping doctors identify which patients have fast-growing tumors that require more intensive monitoring.
- Treatment Selection: Determining if a patient is likely to respond to specific immunotherapies or chemotherapy regimens.
- Progress Monitoring: Tracking whether a tumor is shrinking or if it has developed new ways to evade the immune system during treatment.
Funding and the Path to Implementation
The BRIDGE initiative is supported by the iNOVA4Health Lighthouse Projects (LHP) 2025 program. This funding framework specifically targets research with a high potential for clinical translation, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs do not remain confined to academic papers but actually reach the patients who need them.
| Detail | Project Specification |
|---|---|
| Lead Institutions | ITQB NOVA and IPOFG |
| Primary Focus | Glyco-Immune Biomarkers |
| Funding Source | iNOVA4Health LHP 2025 |
| Total Funding | Up to €75,000 |
| Timeline | Two-year project duration |
Over the next two years, the project will utilize its funding to accelerate the identification of these therapeutic targets. By integrating data from clinical evidence and immune signatures, the team hopes to provide a blueprint for how to treat the most resistant forms of the disease.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options regarding breast cancer.
The project will continue its validation phase over the next 24 months, with the next major milestones involving the analysis of patient cohorts from the IPOFG to confirm the reliability of the identified biomarkers. We invite readers to share their thoughts or questions about personalized oncology in the comments below.
