Novel candidate metastasis genes as putative drug targets for breast cancer

Roosmalen, W.P.E. van (2012)

Doctoral Thesis

Despite extensive studies to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis, still 3500 women die of the results of this disease in the Netherlands each year. Improving our understanding of metastasis formation remains a challenge for further drug development. The scope of this thesis is the identification of novel candidate metastasis genes, with a main focus on candidate genes affecting tumor cell migration. For that purpose, a live cell imaging-based random cell migration assay that is suitable for screening has been developed. In addition, a mouse breast cancer model that allows to study tumor cell autonomous processes of metastasis formation is described. A RNA-interference tumor cell migration screen has been done and resulted in the identification of novel regulators of tumor cell migration that show clinical relevance in a breast cancer patient cohort. In addition, focused research has been conducted on two previously identified candidate metastasis genes to determine their role in breast cancer metastasis.

• Tumor cell migration
• Metastasis
• Functional genomics
• Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
• Breast cancer
• Adhesion signaling

• All authors: Roosmalen, W.P.E. van
• Supervisor: Water, B. van de
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2012-12-12
• ISBN (print): 9789461821942
• Sponsorship: KWF Kankerbestrijding