Mouse model reveals key genes for breast cancer metastasis and recurrence

  The reporter learned from Tongji University that Gao Hua's research group at the School of Life Science and Technology and the Institute of Tumor Metastasis, Affiliated Oriental Hospital discovered a gene TM4SF1 that promotes breast cancer metastasis to multiple organs. The relevant research results have been published in Cell. Experts believe that cutting off and preventing the expression of this gene may be the primary target for the treatment of breast tumor metastasis and recurrence.

  Tumor metastasis and recurrence is the most direct cause of death of most cancer patients. Although tumor metastasis and recurrence have important clinical significance, related research is very weak, especially whether there are core genes in the process of tumor metastasis to multiple target organs.

  The Gao Hua research group used the mouse model as an in vivo screening tool to establish a high-throughput, genome-wide, and functionally related genetic screening platform to find molecules directly related to the metastasis and recurrence of breast cancer, lung cancer and other tumors. Cellular and molecular mechanisms. In 2014, the research team discovered TM4SF1, which plays an important role in the self-renewal of normal and cancer stem cells.

  On this basis, the researchers continued to use immunohistochemical methods to analyze the tissue microarrays of 147 breast cancer patients with complete clinical information, and found that the TM4SF1 gene was up-regulated in breast cancer patients, and the survival time of patients was significantly shortened; On the contrary, the survival period is significantly prolonged. And 3455 cases of breast cancer primary and metastatic tumor tissues were analyzed by computer biological information, and similar results were obtained. Moreover, according to the strength of TM4SF1 gene expression, the length of time for tumor metastasis in breast cancer patients can be predicted.