0
0
A recent review of in vitro breast cancer studies conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shed light on a concerning lack of research regarding breast cancer dormancy, a phenomenon where cancer cells lie dormant before resurfacing years or even decades later. The findings, published in Science Advances, underscore the urgent need for a deeper understanding of this critical aspect of breast cancer progression.
Lead researcher Shelly Peyton, Provost Professor of Chemical Engineering, expressed alarm over the dearth of studies focusing on dormancy, stating that less than 1% of all in vitro studies explore this crucial phase of cancer development. Breast cancer dormancy involves the spread of cancer cells to different tissue sites in the body, where they remain dormant without growing into detectable tumors. Peyton emphasized the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying dormancy, as it significantly impacts patient outcomes.
The review highlighted the challenges associated with detecting dormant cancer cells, which are often elusive and difficult to identify. Nate Richbourg, lead author of the paper and postdoctoral researcher in the Peyton Lab, emphasized the need for precise and non-invasive methods to detect dormant cells, as invasive biopsies or aggressive treatments may not be warranted for cells that may not pose an immediate threat.
The researchers stressed the importance of in vitro studies in elucidating the factors that contribute to breast cancer dormancy. By controlling the environment in benchtop-model settings, researchers can gain insights into the conditions that influence whether cancer cells remain dormant or become metastatic. Richbourg underscored the complexity of the environment, noting that various factors, including physical and biochemical cues, play a role in dormancy.
Moreover, the study highlighted the need for diversity in cell lines used for research, as many studies relied on a single cell line derived from a specific demographic group. Peyton emphasized the importance of expanding the diversity of cell lines to capture the complexity of breast cancer biology.
Ultimately, the researchers emphasized the urgency of their findings as a call to action for the scientific community to prioritize research on breast cancer dormancy. By developing more sophisticated in vitro models and leveraging existing materials creatively, the researchers hope to advance our understanding of dormancy and pave the way for improved treatments to eradicate dormant cancer cells, offering hope for better outcomes for breast cancer patients in the future.
