Metastasis Genes

A major cancer breakthrough was recently published in Nature, and you can read an abridged, more conversational version in The Scientist.

The progression of cancer is marked by metastasis, when cancerous cells invade the blood stream or lymph and migrate to a different tissue environment, where they re-colonize and multiply. This is a huge step from the point of view of the tumor, because as soon as it branches off and migrates, treatment becomes much more complicated and difficult.

In the case of breast cancer, tumor cells often metastasize to the lungs, and that's where this paper comes in. Four genes have been identified that work together to promote a higher risk of metastasis in people with breast cancer. Inhibiting the actions of these genes can contribute to keeping tumors localized and thus more treatable. This is a great advance in cancer biology with great therapeutic potential, so stay tuned for more.