Mahjabeen Fatema, Habbani Samrin F, Mohammed Sulma I
Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA.
Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University Institute of Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Cancers (Basel). 2025 Jun 25;17(13):2134. doi: 10.3390/cancers17132134.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Metastasis-the dissemination of tumor cells to distant organs-is the primary driver of breast cancer-related deaths, often leading to organ dysfunction and treatment resistance. While sentinel lymph nodes are the initial site of metastasis, the molecular mechanisms driving lymphatic spread are still not well understood. Multifarious questions remain on the role, requirement, and significance of the lymphatic system in the context of the distant metastasis of breast cancer. To address these questions, this review explores the recent advancements achieved in studies related to the molecular processes behind lymphatic metastasis in breast cancer, highlighting the tumor microenvironment's role in supporting circulating tumor cells. We also examine the key molecular pathways involved in metastatic progression by analyzing the cellular, genetic, and physiological factors that drive lymphatic metastasis. The insights gained may contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent or mitigate breast cancer metastasis.
乳腺癌是女性中最常见的恶性肿瘤，也是全球发病和死亡的主要原因。转移——肿瘤细胞扩散至远处器官——是乳腺癌相关死亡的主要驱动因素，常导致器官功能障碍和治疗抵抗。虽然前哨淋巴结是转移的初始部位，但驱动淋巴转移的分子机制仍未完全明确。关于淋巴系统在乳腺癌远处转移中的作用、必要性和重要性，仍存在诸多问题。为解决这些问题，本综述探讨了乳腺癌淋巴转移背后分子过程相关研究的最新进展，强调了肿瘤微环境在支持循环肿瘤细胞方面的作用。我们还通过分析驱动淋巴转移的细胞、遗传和生理因素，研究了参与转移进展的关键分子途径。所获得的见解可能有助于开发预防或减轻乳腺癌转移的新治疗方法。
