A recent at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research has given a new insight about the development of breast cancer. Researchers have made two crucial findings related to functions for Notch in breast tissue. 

Dr Toula Bouras and colleagues found that the mechanism by which inappropriate expression of the Notch pathway may contribute to breast cancer. 

Researchers found that the Notch helps in restricting breast stem cell number hence when Notch is 'switched off ', there is a resultant expansion in breast stem cells. 

This research also showed that Notch is important for ensuring that stem cells produce the sleeve of cells that normally line breast ducts. These 'luminal' cells may be the cells that give rise to common types of breast cancer. 

Researchers found that errant activation of Notch resulted in uncontrolled growth of luminal precursors, leading to the formation of breast tumours. 

Dr Visvader said: ''The discovery has really revealed a mechanism by which over activity of the Notch pathway may contribute to breast cancer,''. 

''If drugs can be developed that target this process in an effective way, this offers hope for future generations of patients whose cancers have an overactive Notch pathway.'' 

The recent research showed the importance of deregulated Notch in ductal precursor cells as a forerunner to breast cancer.