Protein Deregulation Associated with Breast Cancer Metastasis

Approximately 10-15% of patients with a breast cancer diagnosis will develop distant metastases within 3 years [1]. Metastasis is initiated when tumour cells detach from the primary site and extravasate into the blood or lymph circulation (Fig. 1). The disseminated tumour cells (DTC) survive in the circulation and then intravasate and colonize new tissues by forming micrometastases and subsequent macrometastases [2]. Metastatic breast cancer is difficult to treat because, once the tumour cells spread from the original site and become DTCs, they are relatively undetectable and can remain dormant for many years after the primary tumour has been removed.

Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - May 30, 2015 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ka Kui Chan, Kyle B. Matchett, Paul M. McEnhill, El Habib Dakir, Mary Frances McMullin, Yahia El-Tanani, Laurence Patterson, Ahmed Faheem, Philip S. Rudland, Paul A. McCarron, Mohamed El-Tanani Source Type: research