A group of researchers described the premalignant cells of early breast cancer as very dangerous, because they can pass to other parts of the body and from there be activated to metastasize.
According to the Prensa Latina web portal, the specialists specify: “The still non-malignant cells of early breast cancer tumors travel to other organs and, finally, are activated and become metastatic breast cancer.”
They also demonstrated the ability of the protein transcription factor NR2F1 to block premalignant cells from ever spreading, which could be a crucial diagnostic tool for predicting relapse.
The scientists explained that before the detection and removal of the tumor mass, some of these cells spread and lodged in other places, waiting to be reactivated.
The researchers found that premalignant cells upregulated levels of NR2F1, which helped drive dissemination along with upregulation of PRRX1, a master regulator of the invasive phenotype.
As such, they found premalignant cells simultaneously expressing low levels of NR2F1 and high levels of PRRX1 in patients’ ductal carcinoma in situ tissues, making them a specific premalignant subpopulation with potential for dissemination.
VTV/WIL/EMPG
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