Mechanisms governing metastatic dormancy in breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a systemic disease characterized by early dissemination of tumor cells to distant organs. In this foreign environment, tumor cells may stay in a dormant state as single cells or as micrometastases for many years before growing out into a macrometastatic lesion. As metastasis is the primary cause for breast cancer-related death, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of dormancy and dormancy escape to find druggable targets to eradicate metastatic tumor cells. Metastatic dormancy is regulated by complex interactions between tumor cells and the local microenvironment. In addition, cancer-directed immunity and systemic instigation play a crucial role.
Clinic for Gynecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. Electronic address: juergen.dittmer@medizin.uni-halle.de.
Jürgen
J
Dittmer
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000235:genetics*
Breast cancer; Dormancy; Metastasis