Carolin J. Curtaz, Constanze Schmitt, Kinga G. Blecharz-Lang, Norbert Roewer, Achim Wöckel and Malgorzata Burek* Pages 1417 - 1427 ( 11 )
Brain metastases are a major cause of death in breast cancer patients. A key event in the metastatic progression of breast cancer in the brain is the migration of cancer cells across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a natural barrier with specialized functions that protect the brain from harmful substances, including antitumor drugs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) sequestered by cells are mediators of cell-cell communication. EVs carry cellular components, including microRNAs that affect the cellular processes of target cells. Here, we summarize the knowledge about microRNAs known to play a significant role in breast cancer and/or in the BBB function. In addition, we describe previously established in vitro BBB models, which are a useful tool for studying molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of brain metastases.
Metastatic breast cancer, blood-brain barrier, in vitro models, microRNA, extracellular vesicles (EVs), brain metastases.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Department of Experimental Neurosurgery, Charite - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg