COVID-19: a potential driver of immune-mediated breast cancer recurrence?

Breast Cancer Research

Ann Zeuner¹  Maria Laura De Angelis¹  Federica Francescangeli¹ 

[1] Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy;

关键词: COVID-19;    Breast cancer;    Dormancy;    Metastasis;    Relapse;    Inflammation;    Disseminated tumor cells;    Tumor recurrence;    Metastatic reawakening;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13058-020-01360-0

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a hyperactivation of immune cells, resulting in lung inflammation. Recent studies showed that COVID-19 induces the production of factors previously implicated in the reawakening of dormant breast cancer cells such as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The presence of NETs and of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment may therefore promote breast cancer reactivation, increasing the risk of pulmonary metastasis. Further studies will be required to confirm the link between COVID-19 and cancer recurrence. However, an increased awareness on the potential risks for breast cancer patients with COVID-19 may lead to improved treatment strategies to prevent metastatic relapse.

【 授权许可】

CC BY