Investigating the role of Wnt-pathway inhibition in mouse breast cancer tumor growth and metastasis.

Abstract

Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American woman with 300,000 Americans diagnosed each year. Although great strides have been made in treating breast cancer, there are few effective treatment options once it spreads to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer). Metastatic breast cancer comprises the vast majority of breast cancer related deaths and individuals with metastatic breast cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 27% (ASCO, 2019). Previous studies have shown that only a small population of breast cancer cells within the tumor are capable of spreading and these cells are known to be chemotherapy and drug resistant. Additionally, research has also indicated that targeting a specific receptor on these cells has the potential to eradicate these cells precisely. In this project, a prospective monoclonal antibody treatment that targets this receptor was investigated to see how well it reduces the growth of breast cancer tumors and prevents the spread of the disease. This prospective treatment has the potential to develop into a much-needed medication that could result in increased long-term survival of breast cancer patients.