A new study of mice implanted with human breast cancer cells shows the spread of the disease to the lungs -- a common metastasis site -- is caused by the abnormal activation of four specific genes working together.

The study, published in the journal Nature, indicates that shutting off the genes one by one can slow the growth and spread of this cancer. But turning off all four at one time almost completely stops the process. In mice anyway.

These genes are no strangers to researchers who have known for some time about their existence and functions. They just know more about them now.

The four genes work together at every step of the metastatic process to allow a breast tumor to develop blood vessels, let tumor cells enter the vessel walls and lungs, and permit them to pass out of the lung vessels and resume growth. New analysis shows that blocking these genes significantly reduces the tangle of blood vessels, making it harder for cancer cells to escape.

Researchers, who say the four genes are among 18 they associate with breast cancer metastasis, report that one implication of this study is clear: combined use of drug therapy may be more effective at inhibiting the activity of multiple gene targets.

Tykerb has been approved by the FDA for use in conjunction with the chemotherapy drug Xeloda. Tykerb is a cancer medication that more precisely targets tumors without killing lots of healthy cells in the process.

Herceptin and Tykerb target a protein called HER-2/neu but work in different ways. Herceptin targets the outside of the HER2 protein and Tykerb works from the inside of the cell. This difference can give advanced breast cancer patients another drug to switch to if Herceptin stops working for them.

Glaxo said that Tykerb will be available in two weeks. The results of a study showed that Tykerb worked so well that the international study was stopped early and all the participants were offered the drug.

The FDA said it was too early to know if women taking Tykerb and Xeloda would live longer than those taking the latter drug alone.

Dr. Steven Galson, FDA drugs chief, said "Today's approval is a step forward in making new treatments available for patients who have progression of their breast cancer after treatment with some of the most effective breast cancer therapies available."

If you live in the San Francisco area you might want to check out the pajama party this weekend at the W San Francisco Hotel. The date is October 3rd from 6:30-9:00 pm at the XYZ Bar in the W Hotel located at 181 3rd street.

Slip on your most stylish PJ's and sip Barcardi cocktails for a party benefiting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. There will be a runway show and also a special reading from the book Why I wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy by two local breast cancer survivors from the Young Survival Coalition.

This sounds so fun. I wish I was in San Francisco!

I think it's safe to say that a large amount of women in this world lack self confidence. Tack on a few incisions and scars, some lop-sided or altogether missing breasts, a handful of scattered blue tattoos, a head full of newly sprouting hair, swelling arms, drug-damaged fingernails and toenails, damaged veins, alien-like ports protruding from underneath skin, unpredictable hot flashes, and a foggy brain and it's clear that women surviving breast cancer may have a few of their own issues concerning self confidence. It doesn't take science to prove this reality -- although there are studies out there that do confirm and validate that breast cancer survivors struggle with positive self images.

Results of a study released Wednesday reveal that the vast majority of breast cancer patients in Taiwan lose self confidence after having their breasts removed. The study shows that 90 percent of participants feel they have lost their beauty and femininity following a mastectomy. Women worry about their partner's perception of them after such radical appearance changes. They doubt their roles in their workplace and families. They are even afraid of having sex with their partners. And if the patients' relationship with their spouses are not good in the first place, breast removal surgery will lead to divorce about 10 percent of the time.

There is no doubt that female roles vary from country to country -- and what studies show in Taiwan may not be completely applicable to women in the United States. But there is one universal truth that knows no boundaries -- all women recovering from the ravages of breast cancer will encounter struggles. Because breast cancer does not discriminate when it comes to compromising the self esteem of its targets.

While still in the experimental stage, scientists have developed a drug that targets cancer cells without damaging normal cells in the process. Researchers are reporting that the RNA-based drug is showing success in laboratory tests involving mice.

Called a simple yet elegant way to target cancer cells for destruction without harming normal cells, the researchers believe that this novel way of treating cancer could enter clinical trials within a few years.

With the sale of a designer logo t-shirt, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, launched in the UK by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, is celebrating its tenth year as the UK's leading fashion charity breast cancer campaign. The fundraiser began after Ralph Lauren's friend, fashion editor of the Washington Post, Nina Hyde, died from breast cancer. While Ms. Hyde was still battling cancer, she asked Lauren to promise he would do something to raise awareness for breast cancer. Fashion Targets Breast Cancer and the designer logo t-shirt is his promise fulfilled.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is a worldwide campaign with celebrity spokespersons such as Saffron Aldridge, Yasmin Le Bon, Gisele Bundchen, Helena Christensen, Jodie Kidd, Elle Macpherson, Jade Jagger, Lily Cole, Eva Herzigova, Claudia Schiffer, Jasmine Guiness, Yasmin Le Bon, Laura Bailey, Erin O'Connor and Jerry Hall.

To support breast cancer charity, you can purchase a Fashion Targets Breast Cancer designer t-shirt here. In addition, by submitting a photo of you and your best dressed friends to the 10 best dressed gallery you are entered in a contest to win tickets to the London Fashion Week this coming September.

Victoria's Secret international supermodel, television and film actress Helena Christensen was in Dublin Ireland last week to launch Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign to raise money for programs supporting young women under 45 diagnosed with breast cancer. All money raised through the sale of the t-shirts go to Action Breast Cancer, a project of the Irish Cancer Society and Europe Donna Ireland, the Irish Breast Cancer Campaign.

Christiansen told the Irish Medical Times that it is important that women practice self-exams for early signs of breast cancer -- and that women don't ignore any warning signs out of fear. "My doctor from an early age told me to touch myself around the breasts and under the armpits, and not feel weird about it! Especially when you're young, you get a little bit intimidated by your body. It's going through so many changes."

Last year, the sale of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer designer t-shirts raised €240,000 for services provided to young women in Ireland facing breast cancer. Christiansen added that women who felt worried should see their physician and not leave their health to chance. "I've always thought it's better to go to the doctor one too many times than to postpone it."