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Nuckhir M, Withey D, Cabral S, Harrison H, Clarke RB. State of the Art Modelling of the Breast Cancer Metastatic Microenvironment: Where Are We? J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2024; 29:14. [PMID: 39012440 PMCID: PMC11252219 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-024-09567-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Metastatic spread of tumour cells to tissues and organs around the body is the most frequent cause of death from breast cancer. This has been modelled mainly using mouse models such as syngeneic mammary cancer or human in mouse xenograft models. These have limitations for modelling human disease progression and cannot easily be used for investigation of drug resistance and novel therapy screening. To complement these approaches, advances are being made in ex vivo and 3D in vitro models, which are becoming progressively better at reliably replicating the tumour microenvironment and will in the future facilitate drug development and screening. These approaches include microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip and use of advanced biomaterials. The relevant tissues to be modelled include those that are frequent and clinically important sites of metastasis such as bone, lung, brain, liver for invasive ductal carcinomas and a distinct set of common metastatic sites for lobular breast cancer. These sites all have challenges to model due to their unique cellular compositions, structure and complexity. The models, particularly in vivo, provide key information on the intricate interactions between cancer cells and the native tissue, and will guide us in producing specific therapies that are helpful in different context of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Nuckhir
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - David Withey
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Sara Cabral
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - Hannah Harrison
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
| | - Robert B Clarke
- Breast Biology Group, Manchester Breast Centre, Division of Cancer Sciences, Oglesby Cancer Research Building, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
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Rashid NS, Grible JM, Clevenger CV, Harrell JC. Breast cancer liver metastasis: current and future treatment approaches. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:263-277. [PMID: 33675501 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10080-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all fatalities arising from breast tumors are attributable to distant metastases. Breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) is associated with poor prognoses, with the median survival time being 2 to 3 years. Tumor intrinsic subtype directs preferential metastasis to specific organs, with HER2-enriched tumors demonstrating the highest rates of metastasis to the liver, though all subtypes can grow in the liver. There is no singular established standard-of-care for BCLM; therapeutic selection is driven by histologic and molecular hallmarks of the primary tumor or biopsied metastasis samples. Given the poor prognosis of patients with hepatic spread, pre-clinical studies are necessary to identify and evaluate promising new treatment strategies. It is critical that these laboratory studies accurately recapitulate the BCLM disease process, standard progression, and histological attributes. In this review, we summarize the histologic and molecular characteristics of BCLM, evaluate the efficacy of existing surgical and medical treatment strategies, and discuss future approaches to preclinical study of BCLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narmeen S Rashid
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Grible
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Charles V Clevenger
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - J Chuck Harrell
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. .,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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