Molecular biology of breast cancer metastasis. Clinical implications of experimental studies on metastatic inefficiency.
Recent technological advances have led to an increasing ability to detect isolated tumour cells and groups of tumour cells in patients' blood, lymph nodes or bone marrow. However, the clinical significance of these cells is unclear. Should they be considered as evidence of metastasis, necessitating aggressive treatment, or are they in some cases unrelated to clinical outcome? Quantitative experimental studies on the basic biology of metastatic inefficiency are providing clues that may help in understanding the significance of these cells. This understanding will be of use in guiding clinical studies to assess the significance of isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in cancer patients.
London Regional Cancer Centre, London, Ontario, Canada. ann.chambers@lrcc.on.ca
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Chambers
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Naumov
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Vantyghem
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Tuck
D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008863:Microspheres; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins