Tumor-Host Interactions in Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis

Abstract

The proposal will test the hypothesis that bone represents a unique microenvironment favoring the survival and growth of metastatic breast cancer cells. Further, that cells in breast cancer bone metastases are specialized populations of cancer cells, endowed with properties that promote their growth in bone. The presence of breast cancer cells can disrupt the normal balance of bone turnover and promote osteoclast activity. Understanding the biology of breast cancer bone metastases and the contribution of cancer cell-derived factors, such as platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), will lead to new approaches for control or prevention of this significant clinical problem. Expression analyses will be performed using cDNA arrays, testing samples from breast cancer cell lines growing in different conditions - in vitro and in vivo (direct injection into bone or mammary fatpad, and/or metastases from different organs in mice). The arrays to be used will identify cytokines and receptors, and genes involved in specific pathways (cell cycle regulation, cell death, metastasis and invasion, signal transduction, angiogenesis). One of the factors known to promote bone resorption is PDGF, and the consequences of the release of PDGF by metastatic breast cancer cells will be determined in in vitro experiments with immortalized osteoblasts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA418048

Entities

People

  • Janet E. Price

Organizations

  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bone And Bones
  • Bone Diseases
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cytokines
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Gene Expression
  • Growth Factors
  • Health Services
  • Macrophages
  • Metastasis
  • Neoplasms
  • Osteoblasts
  • Peptide Growth Factors
  • Proteins
  • Regulations

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Oncology (Cancer Research).