Australian researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against breast cancer. 

A team at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has found that DNA methylation, an epigenetic change, plays a critical role in developing resistance to endocrine therapy in oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers. 

This resistance is a significant hurdle in treating a condition affecting over 4,000 Australians yearly.

The team used decitabine, a drug already approved for some blood cancers, to successfully reverse these methylation changes in mice models. 

This treatment significantly reduced tumour growth and doubled survival times, offering a promising new approach for those with endocrine-resistant breast cancer.

Published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, the study led by Professor Susan Clark, introduces decitabine as a potential game-changer. 

By removing methyl groups from specific DNA regions, the drug reactivates oestrogen receptors and tumour suppressor genes, cutting down cancer growth.

The findings pave the way for a Phase I clinical trial to test decitabine alongside endocrine therapy, aiming to establish a more effective treatment regime. 

This innovative strategy could mark a significant leap forward in improving outcomes for patients battling this challenging form of breast cancer.