Immune Microenvironments and Hepatocyte Growth Factor Signaling Interactions in Breast Cancer Disparities

North Carolina Central University, Durham NC

Investigators

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Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section Segments of the population experience disproportionately higher breast cancer mortality rates, pointing to ongoing challenges in access to early detection, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment... A driving force in patient outcome is the type of cancer diagnosis and the available treatment options. We focus on two highly aggressive BC subtypes: the hormone receptor negative basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) and the under-studied and deadly inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Subsets of the population often present with higher rates of BLBC vs. others, and since highly effective therapies are lacking, survival is poor. The NCI states IBC is more common and diagnosed in younger certain population of women and is often hormone receptor negative. Clearly a need to conduct more advanced studies into these lethal BCs, and their common themes, is critical for patient survival and understanding disparate outcomes. Many studies assessing population-based differences in BCs examine tumor characteristics; however, etiologic factors that lead to these differences in outcomes remain poorly defined. Our data show population specific immune and stromal cell infiltrate and altered protein levels within normal breast and tumor microenvironments. Our objective is to identify population specific mechanisms involved in the progression of aggressive, metastatic BC as a consequence of stromal effects at the site of the cancerous lesion.