Studies on Metastatic Human Breast Cancer

[摘要] The main clinical problem in breast cancer is metastasis and the initial spread frequently involves the axillary lymph nodes. Surgical removal of the primary tumour is not always sufficient to prevent further spread of the disease and mortality is high in breast cancer. At present, lymph node metastasis (stage) remains the most important prognostic indicator but clinical staging can be inaccurate and 30% of node negative (without nodal metastasis) patients still die from their disease. The metastatic process is complex in breast cancer especially as primary tumours differ widely and while prognosis in some patients after surgery is good, in others there is early recurrence and widespread metastasis. Even within a tumour, much variation exists and it is believed that metastatic cells may represent only a subpopulation of the primary tumour. Various factors both contribute towards as well as act against the generation of such metastatic cells. Recent research has been directed towards identifying such features in breast tumours and their relationship to metastasis. The surgical practice at Western Infirmary includes axillary clearance in addition to removal of the primary tumour. It was, therefore, possible to design a study which involved analysis of both primary tumours and lymph node metastases from breast cancer patients. This study involved the measurement of different molecular parameters (including lymph node immunological responses, cell surface carbohydrate expression, DNA flow cytometric analysis, and DNA fingerprinting) in relation to metastasis to the lymph node.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Biochemistry, Oncology