Why Is The Bone Marrow A “hot-spot” For Myeloma Plasma Cell Metastasis: Are There Gremlins In The System?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$651,979.00
Summary
Most cancer patients die because their cancer spreads from a primary site to other tissues in the body. Once escaping the primary site, 70% of all tumours will spread to bone. This raises the question, why is bone a preferred destination for cancer cells? We provide evidence that Gremlin1, made by non-cancer cells within bone, is a key protein that supports cancer growth. This study will examine whether inhibiting Gremlin1 is a potential therapy to inhibit cancer spreading to bone.
Transcriptional And Epigenetic Regulation Of Epithelial Mesenchymal Plasticity In Breast Cancer Dissemination
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$670,964.00
Summary
Fuelling the spread of breast cancer are small clusters or individual cancer cells that escape into the blood (CTC) and bone marrow (DTC). Comprehensive analysis of these is prohibited by difficulty in purifying them, and their small numbers. Using two novel, validated mouse models for these cells, we have devised an approach that will identify new diagnostic and therapeutic targets in these compartments. These will ultimately provide avenues to improve breast cancer survival.