India, Aug. 23 -- Monash University researchers have identified a molecular biomarker in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumours which could inform when beta blockers can play a role in "switching off" tumour progression.

When stress hormones are released by the body's nervous system they can activate a receptor called the 'beta-2 adrenoceptor' which can speed up the spread of cancer. Beta blockers are a class of medication used to block the effects of stress hormones and have already been identified by Monash researchers as a potential therapeutic option for halting cancer progression in TNBC patients.

In this study the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) team have now discovered how beta blockers could play a role ...