In a major advancement for breast cancer research, Dr. Harikrishna Nakshatri, a distinguished researcher at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, has led a team in creating the most comprehensive map of healthy breast cells to date. This invaluable tool, spearheaded by Dr. Nakshatri, will empower researchers at IU and beyond to deepen their understanding of how breast cancer develops and how breast tissue differs across various genetic ancestries, bringing us closer to more personalized and effective treatments.

Published in Nature Medicine, the landmark research details a comprehensive atlas of breast tissue cells, including insights into genome organization and RNA production within different cell types. This atlas, a testament to Dr. Nakshatri's leadership, was created using healthy breast tissue from women of diverse ancestries, reflecting a commitment to understanding breast cancer in all populations.

"Breast cancer outcomes can vary based on genetic ancestry," explains Dr. Nakshatri, the Marian J. Morrison Professor of Breast Cancer Research at IU School of Medicine and the driving force behind this research at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research. "While socio-economics play a role, we believe biology and ancestry are also key factors. This study provides a crucial foundation for addressing those biological and ancestral aspects."

Dr. Nakshatri's lab sequenced 88,000 cell nuclei from 92 women who donated healthy breast tissue. The donors included people of African, European, Indigenous American, Hispanic, East Asian, Southeast Asian and Ashkenazi-Jewish-European ancestry. The resulting cell map includes data on gene expression, gene organization, and cell-type-specific expressions. Because breast cancer often originates in specific cell types, this research has the potential to improve our understanding of breast cancer development and identify new treatment targets.

"This research helps us understand the fundamental building blocks of the normal breast and whether those building blocks vary based on genetic ancestry," Dr. Nakshatri said.

“By understanding the cell types from which breast cancer originates, we can better determine what goes wrong in breast cancer compared to the normal breast.”

— Dr. Nakshatri

This groundbreaking cell atlas information, made possible by Dr. Nakshatri's dedication and leadership, will be broadly available to breast cancer researchers through databases like the National Institutes of Health, Human Cell Atlas, and Chan Zuckerberg CELL by GENE Discover, fostering collaboration and accelerating future discoveries.

Source: IU School of Medicine Newsroom

Groundbreaking Research Maps Healthy Breast Cells