Defining Stromal Mechanisms of ER+ Breast Cancer Dissemination, Dormancy, and Metastatic Recurrence.

At a Glance

Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most prevalent subtype of breast cancer diagnosed across the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. Importantly, more than 25% of ER+ cancers recur at distant sites, or metastasize, even 20 years after initial diagnosis. This makes ER+ breast cancer the primary cause of breast cancer related deaths in Wisconsin women. The primary goal of this project is to investigate how factors of the tumor microenvironment, such as collagen stiffness and fiber alignment regulate the spread of canter cells and promote dormancy. By better understanding ER+ breast cancer recurrence, this project has the potential to improve breast cancer treatment and help reduce future recurrences for patients with ER+ breast cancer.

The Challenge

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Wisconsin with more than 5,300 newly diagnosed cases in 2021 and cases continuing to increase each year. Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most prevalent subtype of breast cancer diagnosed across the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. Importantly, more than 25% of ER+ cancers recur at distant sites, or metastasize, even 20 years after initial diagnosis. This makes ER+ breast cancer the primary cause of breast cancer related deaths in Wisconsin women. However, researchers have yet to fully understand how the cancer metastasizes. Specifically, there is a need to understand how ER+ tumor cells escape from the primary tumor and remain dormant for prolonged periods before metastatic recurrence.

Project Goals

The primary goal of this project is to investigate how factors of the tumor microenvironment, such as collagen stiffness and fiber alignment regulate the spread of canter cells and promote dormancy. The researchers hypothesize that collagen density and estrogen drive mechanisms of dissemination, promote dormant tumor cells, and facilitate the awakening of ER+ tumor cells in the metastatic environment.