Studies of postpartum mammary gland involution reveal novel pro-metastatic mechanisms.

摘要: Postpartum involution is the process by which lactating mammary gland returns to pre-pregnant state after weaning. Expression of tumor-promotional collagen, upregulation matrix metalloproteinases, infiltration M2 macrophages, and remodeling blood lymphatic vasculature are all characteristics shared involuting breast tumor microenvironment. The promotional nature perhaps best evidenced cases postpartum cancer (PPBC), or those diagnosed within 10 years most recent childbirth. Women with PPBC experience more aggressive disease higher risk metastasis than nulliparous patients outside window. Semaphorin 7a (SEMA7A), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), collagen expressed in and, together, predict for decreased free survival cancer. Studies investigating role these proteins have been important understanding their contributions PPBC. thus represents a valuable model identification novel molecular drivers classical hallmarks. In this review, we will highlight similarities between gland, further define contribution SEMA7A/COX-2/collagen interplay progression metastasis.