Study of RANKL Expression in Metastatic Breast Carcinoma
Abstract
Bone is the most common site of metastases by human breast cancer. Most breast cancers form osteolytic metastases, in contrast to tumors such as prostate cancer that form osteoscierotic metastases. Although some evidence suggests that formation of bone metastases by breast cancer cells is mediated by the increased osteoclastogenesis at the target site, a clear controversy exists whether formation of bone metastases is mediated by breast cancer cells directly or by stimulated osteoclasts. We have therefore examined the expression of RANKL, an important protein involved in the bone remodeling, in invasive carcinoma of breast and bone metastases. We observed that RANKL is present not only in non-neoplastic breast but also in Infilterating Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). Further, breast cancer cells lose the expression of RANKL as they become metastatic to bone. Therefore the formation of osteolytic lesions in bone by breast cancer cells may not be due to direct interactioin of tumor cells and bone. Rather a different mechanism might be operating. However, loss of RANKL expression in Bone metastasis might serve as an indicator of bone metastasis and RANKL might prove as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for breast cancer metastasis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA418749
Entities
People
- Pardeep Bhatia
Organizations
- University of Connecticut Health Center