Some breast cancer cells can travel to the brain and grow into new tumors, which is called brain metastasis. Once cancer spreads to the brain, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis is dismal. Right now, doctors have no reliable way to predict which breast cancer patients are at higher risk of developing brain metastasis. This means many patients are diagnosed too late, when the cancer has already spread to the brain.
In our previous research, we discovered a molecule called PTK7 that is much more common in brain metastases than in breast tumors that do not spread to the brain. PTK7 appears to help cancer cells survive in the brain and grow in areas filled with scar-like tissue with fewer immune cells. We believe PTK7 could be used as a predictive marker to help doctors identify which breast tumors are more likely to spread to the brain.
In this new project, we will study PTK7 in a new group of breast cancer samples, including both tumors in the primary site (breast) and brain metastases. We will use advanced lab techniques and computer-based image analysis to measure PTK7 levels and see how it relates to the surrounding tissue environment. We will also build a scoring system that could be used by pathologists to identify patients with high-risk of brain metastasis. Our long-term goal is to develop a test that helps doctors detect tumors with worse prognosis
earlier, allowing for more personalized care and better outcomes.
Brain metastases are one of the most life-altering and deadly complications of breast cancer. They often occur without warning and are typically diagnosed late, when treatment options are limited and less effective. For patients and their families, the diagnosis of brain metastasis brings immense emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges. Despite this, there are currently no tools used in routine care to identify which breast cancer patients are at higher risk of brain metastasis.
This project aims to fill that critical gap by validating a new biomarker, PTK7, which we discovered to be strongly associated with brain metastases. If successful, this research could lead to a laboratory test that helps oncologists and pathologists identify patients who are more likely to develop brain metastasis, before it happens. With earlier identification, patients could benefit from more frequent brain imaging, closer monitoring, and potentially earlier or preventive interventions.
In addition to improving diagnosis, this work explores how tumor cells interact with their surrounding environment in the brain. Understanding this interaction could lead to new treatments that target not just the cancer cells, but also the supportive environment they rely on to grow.
Importantly, a patient partner will be involved throughout the project, ensuring that our questions, methods, and communication strategies reflect the priorities and needs of people living with breast cancer. This partnership will help ensure that our research leads to real-world benefits for patients, caregivers, and the broader community.