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Title: Regulation of In Situ to Invasive Breast CarcinomaTransition

Journal Article · · Cancer Cell
OSTI ID:932685

The transition of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive carcinoma is a key event in breast tumor progression that is poorly understood. Comparative molecular analysis of tumor epithelial cells from in situ and invasive tumors has failed to identify consistent tumor stage-specific differences. However, the myoepithelial cell layer, present only in DCIS, is a key distinguishing and diagnostic feature. To determine the contribution of non-epithelial cells to tumor progression, we analyzed the role of myoepithelial cells and fibroblasts in the progression of in situ carcinomas using a xenograft model of human DCIS. Progression to invasion was promoted by fibroblasts, but inhibited by normal myoepithelial cells. The invasive tumor cells from these progressed lesions formed DCIS rather than invasive cancers when re-injected into naive mice. Molecular profiles of myoepithelial and epithelial cells isolated from primary normal and cancerous human breast tissue samples corroborated findings obtained in the xenograft model. These results provide the proof of principle that breast tumor progression could occur in the absence of additional genetic alterations and that tumor growth and progression could be controlled by replacement of normal myoepithelial inhibitory signals.

Research Organization:
COLLABORATION - Brigham and Women'sHospital
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
932685
Report Number(s):
LBNL-62626; R&D Project: 443180; BnR: KP1104010; TRN: US200813%%465
Journal Information:
Cancer Cell, Vol. 13, Issue 5; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 05/2008
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English