Brcal Defective Breast Cancer Cells Induce in vitro Transformation of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) to Metastasis Associated Fibroblasts (MAF).

It is known that Cancer Associated Fibroblast (CAFs) from the primary tumor site can accompany cancer cells to a secondary site during the process of metastasis. We hypothesize that these CAFs could be transformed to an altered cell type, which can be called as Metastasis Associated Fibroblasts (MAF) in turn can support, and convoy cancer cells for metastasis. There are no published reports that have characterized and distinguished CAFs from MAF.

BRCA1 regulation on β-hCG: a mechanism for tumorigenicity in BRCA1 defective breast cancer.

Human chorionic gonadotropin β (β-hCG) has been implicated in breast tumorigenesis. However, the role of this hormone is highly controversial as certain studies suggest it has anti-tumor properties while others have found it to be pro-tumorigenic. To unveil the truth, we have analyzed the expression of β-hCG in breast cancer.