Of mice and (wo)men: mouse models of breast cancer metastasis to bone.

摘要

Approximately 200,000 new cases of breast cancer and 40,000 breast cancer deaths occur annually in the United States.'1' Among breast cancers that become aggressive, metastasis to bone marrow is common.'2"5' In many respects, the problem of metastasis to bone is more serious than the original tumor, and its detection often signals the onset of the life-threatening phase of this disease. Long before death, however, a number of other serious complications threaten the well-being of the patient: These include fractures, disability, pain, and hypercalcemia.