New Insights into Breast Cancer Spread Reveal Key Role of Immune Cell Interactions
BOSTON, MA – September 9, 2025 – Researchers are zeroing in on the complex interplay between breast cancer cells and immune cells as a critical driver of metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads to other parts of the body. A recent surge in studies, as reported by GeneOnline News, highlights how these interactions can either suppress or, conversely, promote the dissemination of cancerous cells, offering potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally, with metastasis accounting for approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths. Understanding the mechanisms that govern this spread is paramount to improving patient outcomes. The emerging research focuses on how cancer cells manipulate the immune system to create a microenvironment conducive to their survival and migration, and how modulating these interactions could halt or slow disease progression.
Investigations are revealing that specific immune cells, including macrophages and neutrophils, can be “hijacked” by breast cancer cells. These cells, normally tasked with defending the body against disease, are reprogrammed to support tumor growth and facilitate invasion into surrounding tissues. This reprogramming frequently enough involves the release of signaling molecules that weaken the extracellular matrix, the structural scaffolding surrounding cells, allowing cancer cells to break free and enter the bloodstream.
Moreover, the research indicates that the composition of the tumor microenvironment – the cells, blood vessels, and signaling molecules surrounding the tumor – considerably influences metastatic potential. Variations in immune cell populations and their activation states can predict the likelihood of metastasis and response to treatment.
Researchers are now exploring strategies to restore the anti-tumor activity of immune cells, such as using immunotherapies to boost the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Other approaches involve targeting the signaling pathways that cancer cells use to manipulate immune cells, effectively disrupting the metastatic process. These findings, detailed in recent publications and conferences, represent a important step toward developing more effective and personalized treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
