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Eradication of breast cancer cells in patients with distant metastasis: the finishing touches?

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  • From improved survival to potential cure in patients with metastatic breast cancer
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Abstract

Cytotoxic agents are significantly active in breast cancer cells, but their usefulness has been limited in treating metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This has facilitated the development of an approach using molecular-targeted agents. Intrinsic subtypes including luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-enriched, basal-like, and claudin-low tumors exhibit original drug responsiveness and clinical prognosis. Anti-HER2 treatments, trastuzumab or lapatinib, have demonstrated clinically significant efficacy. Poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 inhibitors act against BRCA1-disabled breast cancer. Cancer stem cells could be the major obstacle to achieving a cure in systemic treatment. Extensive investigations are underway to develop novel agents that act on the genes or signaling of Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch, which regulate cancer stem cells. Cancer cells undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquire invasive properties. Breast cancer cells alter their phenotype in blood and bone marrow, e.g., circulating tumor cells or disseminated tumor cells. Cancer stem cells, like normal stem cells, may exist at niches in bone marrow. To achieve a cure for MBC, it is necessary to disrupt cancer stem cell–niche interactions or eradicate cancer stem cells. Traditional treatments with cytotoxic or endocrine agents require development in relation to intrinsic subtypes, stem cells, or EMT.

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Abbreviations

ALDH:

Aldehyde dehydrogenase

CTC:

Circulating tumor cell

CXCR4:

C-X-C motif chemokine receptor-4

DTC:

Disseminated tumor cell

Dvl:

Cytoplasmic disheveled

EMT:

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition

ER:

Estrogen receptor

HER2:

Human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2

MBC:

Metastatic breast cancer

PARP:

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PI3K:

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase

PR:

Progesterone receptor

Smo:

Smoothened

RANK:

Receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan

    Yoshinori Ito & Kiyohiko Hatake

  2. Department of Breast Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan

    Yoshinori Ito & Takuji Iwase

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  1. Yoshinori Ito
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Correspondence to Yoshinori Ito.

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Ito, Y., Iwase, T. & Hatake, K. Eradication of breast cancer cells in patients with distant metastasis: the finishing touches?. Breast Cancer 19, 206–211 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12282-011-0266-5

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