Extracellular Matrix Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Prognosis, Imaging, and Targeting
Abstract
The goal of this project is to characterize the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment of mammary tumors and their metastases. The ECM provides multiple cues to both tumor and normal cells that affect their proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and resistance to chemo- and radio-therapy. As such, the ECM is an important component of tumors but has been difficult to analyze until recently. We have defined ECM biomarkers associated with (and in some cases causal of) metastasis. Under this project we are defining the composition of the ECM of human patient tumors, both primaries and metastases, as well as human tumors growing in mice (so-called PDX models). Defining the differences between tumors and in metastases, we seek to develop novel ECM biomarkers and antibodies to them for use in diagnosis, prognosis, early detection, in situ imaging and, eventually, targeting of breast cancer metastases, which are the major cause of deaths from this disease. We expect that the novel approaches that we are using will reveal novel biomarkers and provide sorely needed new approaches to the management and treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1003312
Entities
People
- Kornélia Polyák
- Richard O. Hynes
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology