Molecular Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Lung: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives
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London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
2
London Regional Cancer Program, London Health Sciences Centre, Departments of Anatomy & Cell Biology and Oncology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20(9), 2272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092272
Received: 31 March 2019
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Revised: 1 May 2019
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Accepted: 6 May 2019
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Published: 8 May 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Metastasis)
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, and >90% of breast cancer-related deaths are associated with metastasis. Breast cancer spreads preferentially to the lung, brain, bone and liver; termed organ tropism. Current treatment methods for metastatic breast cancer have been ineffective, compounded by the lack of early prognostic/predictive methods to determine which organs are most susceptible to developing metastases. A better understanding of the mechanisms that drive breast cancer metastasis is crucial for identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Lung metastasis is of particular concern as it is associated with significant patient morbidity and a mortality rate of 60–70%. This review highlights the current understanding of breast cancer metastasis to the lung, including discussion of potential new treatment approaches for development.
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Keywords:
breast cancer; lung metastasis; pre-metastatic niche; exosomes; tumor secreted factors; targeted therapies
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MDPI and ACS Style
Medeiros, B.; Allan, A.L. Molecular Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Lung: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 2272. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092272
AMA Style
Medeiros B, Allan AL. Molecular Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Lung: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20(9):2272. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092272
Chicago/Turabian StyleMedeiros, Braeden, and Alison L. Allan. 2019. "Molecular Mechanisms of Breast Cancer Metastasis to the Lung: Clinical and Experimental Perspectives" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 9: 2272. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20092272
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