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Of extracellular matrix, the genome and the microenvironment in breast cancer: No cell is an island
Author(s) -
Bissell Mina J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.395.1
Subject(s) - extracellular matrix , morphogenesis , biology , breast cancer , mammary gland , basement membrane , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , cancer cell , computational biology , gene , genetics
Development of robust and versatile 3‐D culture models for studying functional differentiation of normal mammary gland and steps in breast cancer has allowed us to conclude that tissue structure and epithelial polarity are overarching suppressor mechanisms that play crucial roles in maintenance of the differentiated state and how the loss of these has significant ramifications in cancer and in response to therapeutic agents. These assays and the concepts derived from the experiments are now pursued by many other laboratories. To move these concepts to the next stage, we have embarked on developing complementary assays: 1) Can we apply the knowledge gained so far to finding more effective therapeutics? 2) how to make other versatile models to understand the process of branching morphogenesis of the mammary gland, in particular, how the epithelial cells invade the fat pad in organized branching patterns without breaching the basement membrane. This knowledge is crucial for understanding where the regulation goes awry in breast cancer cells when they invade and metastasize; and 3) how to improve the monocellular 3D models to reflect the complexity of the mammary gland. I will discuss the progress the laboratory has made in these and other areas.