"Immune Cells Linked To Very Early Spread Of Breast Cancer" - Marilynn Larkin

Normal immune cells that live near milk ducts in healthy breast tissue may play a key role in helping early breast cancer cells leave the breast for other parts of the body, researchers say. This could possibly cause cancer to metastasize, or spread, even before a tumor has developed, according to Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, PhD, professor of medicine, hematology, medical oncology, otolaryngology, and oncological sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The study was published in Nature Communications. In the current study, the team reports that immune cells called macrophages play an important role in this process. Working in mice and in human cells in the laboratory, the team found that dissemination occurs when macrophages are attracted to the milk ducts, where they trigger a chain reaction that enables the early cancer cells to leave the breast. "We show that by disrupting this process, we can prevent early dissemination and, ultimately, deadly metastasis" explained Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso. "Our study challenges the dogma that early diagnosis and treatment means sure cure." It could also be a starting point for a test that could identify patients with the earliest form of breast cancer, known as ductal cell carcinoma in situ, who may already have disseminated disease, he suggested.

 - Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, PhD, Professor, Medicine, Hematology, Medical Oncology, Otolaryngology, Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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