A breakthrough in the fight against cancer has been achieved in the discovery of genes that are responsible for the metastasization of cancers. This was during genomic research where the molecular features which are directly linked to the metastasization of breast cancer and its movement into the brain were discovered.
Using microarrays to compare the expression profiles of the breast cancer genes, scientists identified 17 genes that were differentially expressed in breast cancers that metastasized to the brain. They further found that several genes overlapped with lung metastasis tumors. One particular gene the metastasizing cancers share is ST6GALNAC5, a gene that is over expressed and involved in cell to cell communication and helping blood into the brain. This gene has appeared to be soley over-expressed in brain metastases by the over production of α2,6-sialtransferase, an enzyme that modifies cell surface molecules and influences cell to cell interactions. Another two genes involved in metastasis; cyclooxygenase (COX 2) which is involved in the body’s antiflamatory response and epidermal growth factor receptor ligand.
Scientists have concluded that the gene ST6GALNAC5 specifically helps cancer cells enter the brain, noting that there are additional unknown factors likely required for brain metastasis. Using this knowledge scientists are confident in the future ability to being able to detect possible mestasasizing cancers in patients and prevent or alter the biological processes that cause it.
Article : http://www.genomeweb.com/arrays/researchers-id-features-breast-cancer-metastasis-brain
Picture : http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45498000/jpg/_45498142_dividingbreastcell.jpg
