Metastasis: A Bane of Breast Cancer Therapy

European Medical Journal Oncology

article

Chidalu A. Edechi¹  Nnamdi M. Ikeogu²  Lucas Evangelista de Lima Terceiro¹  Jude E. Uzonna²  Yvonne Myal¹ 

[1] Department of Pathology, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba;Department of Immunology, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba;Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba;Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology

关键词: Breast cancer;    chemotherapy;    epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT);    immune system;    immunotherapy;    metastasis.;   

DOI  :  10.33590/emj/20-00039

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: European Medical Journal

【 摘 要 】

The underlying mechanisms of metastasis in patients with breast cancer is still poorly understood. Approximately 6% of patients with breast cancer present with metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic breast cancer is difficult to treat and patients with breast cancer with distant metastasis have a significantly lower 5-year survival rate compared to patients with localised breast cancer (27% and 99%, respectively). During breast cancer progression, tumour cells first metastasise to nearby draining lymph nodes and then to distant organs, primarily bone, lungs, liver, and brain. In this brief review, the authors discuss breast cancer metastasis, the role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the contributions of the immune system to the metastatic process. The authors also briefly discuss whether there is any relationship between tumour size and metastatic potential, and recent advances in treatment for metastatic breast cancer. The studies highlighted suggest that immunotherapy may play a more significant role in future patient care for metastatic breast cancer.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC