Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the field of breast cancer research by identifying a set of genes that promote the spread of breast tumors to the lungs. These key genes also appear to have a significant impact on the way chemotherapy affects cancer cells.

The study, which is published in the British journal Nature, found that in 87 cases blocking the genes appeared to boost the impact of chemotherapy. The study could be useful to give lower chemotherapy doses that can minimize the side effects for patients.

The researchers said that blocking off the genes individually can slow the growth and spread of breast cancer to the lungs. However, when all four genes were turned off in an experiment with mice it completely stopped the process.

BBC quotes Professor White, senior author of the report, as saying, "The idea of the screen was to be able to take advantage of the new generation of technology to silence any gene we want. You go in without any expectations and let the data tell you what's important."

However, the researchers said that the study has only looked at isolated cancer cells in the laboratory and more research is needed to determine if the technique will work in humans.