MTA1-Regulated Gene Expression: New Markers of Breast Cancer Metastasis
Abstract
Doctors examine primary tumors and nearby lymph nodes to assess cancer spread, as node-positive breast tumors require obligatory chemotherapy. Most breast cancers are "node-negative" (confined to the breast), but, if left untreated, one fourth of these patients die from occult systemic disease ("micrometastasis"). Women with node-negative breast tumors that overexpress metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1) protein had recurrence risks identical to women with systemic disease (RR 2.7, p = 0.0006). For the 7% (29/394) of patients with tumors expressing the highest levels of MTA1, relapse rates exceeded 60% (1). MTA1 detected recurrence risk before relapses were clinically evident, MTA1 is a prognostic marker and may herald micrometastasis. We plan to treat breast cancer cells with antisense and control oligomers with an antisense construct that specifically blocks MTA1 protein formation. Gene expression microarrays can measure levels for nearly every gene. Genes that are differentially expressed in AS-MTA1-treated versus control breast cancer cells are either directly or indirectly MTA1-regulated. Since MTA1 is known to enhance tumor metastasis (2,3), future studies of differentially expressed (MTA1-regulated) genes will confirm their role in primary breast tumor metastasis. MTA1, gene expression arrays, and new micrometastasis markers should allow doctors and patients to objectively weigh the need, and likely clinical benefits of breast cancer chemotherapy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA430181
Entities
People
- Peter O'connell
Organizations
- Virginia Commonwealth University