Neural Stem Cell Delivery of Therapeutic Antibodies to Treat Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

摘要

The goal of this study is to develop a new therapeutic approach for clinical inhibition of breast cancer brain metastasis. We have established and validated unique new breast cancer brain metastasis cell models and adapted mouse models to emulate all steps of human breast cancer brain metastasis development and invasive progression. These models are essential new tools for the evaluation of successful new therapies against widespread metastatic brain disease as seen in breast cancer patients. We determined subpopulations of these cells and investigated if cells with a putative stem-like marker profile are responsible for the initiation of brain lesions and successful intracranial metastasis growth. Contrary to current believe, we found that the cells with the putative stem-like marker profile are NOT responsible for highly efficient brain metastatic growth. This finding calls into question approaches that are attempting to target the putative stem cell marker molecules and, if known, their functions. Therefore, our results are valuable for a new outlook guide identification of potential new targets specifically for therapeutic inhibition of brain metastasis in breast cancer. With these advances, and identifying microglial cells as promising host cells for therapeutic use against brain lesions, we have made tangible progress toward new treatment options for breast cancer patients with cerebral metastasis.