Researchers identified a targetable driver of brain metastases in patients with aggressive inflammatory breast cancer. The study uncovers a novel role for soluble E-cadherin (sEcad) in promoting tumor invasion while resisting cancer cell death and triggering brain inflammation via the CXCR2 signaling pathway. The results suggest that targeting sEcad or the CXCR2 pathway could treat or prevent brain metastasis. The study was led by Xiaoding Hu, M.D., Ph.D., instructor of Breast Medical Oncology, and Bisrat Debeb, D.V.M., Ph.D., associate professor of Breast Medical Oncology.
“This readily measurable blood biomarker plays a key role in driving brain metastasis,” Debeb said. “Targeting this pathway has tremendous potential to treat and prevent this serious complication and could help guide future therapies.”