Molecular biology of breast metastasis: Clinical implications of experimental studies on metastatic inefficiency
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* Corresponding author: Ann F Chambers ann.chambers@lrcc.on.ca
1 London Regional Cancer Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
2 London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
Breast Cancer Res 2000, 2:400-407 doi:10.1186/bcr86
Published: 21 July 2000Abstract
Recent technological advances have led to an increasing ability to detect isolated tumour cells and groups of tumour cells in patients' blood, lymph nodes or bone marrow. However, the clinical significance of these cells is unclear. Should they be considered as evidence of metastasis, necessitating aggressive treatment, or are they in some cases unrelated to clinical outcome? Quantitative experimental studies on the basic biology of metastatic inefficiency are providing clues that may help in understanding the significance of these cells. This understanding will be of use in guiding clinical studies to assess the significance of isolated tumour cells and micrometastases in cancer patients.