Stopping Cancer Cells from the Breast on their Way to the Brain

Cerebral metastasis is one of the most serious complications of breast cancer. In this case, cancer cells from the original breast tumour have spread to the brain via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system and formed metastases there. Depending on their location and size, these metastases can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, neurological deficits, epileptic seizures as well as personality and memory changes.

Dr. Carolin Julia Curtaz, senior consultant at the Department of Gynaecology at the University Hospital of Würzburg, is investigating why the blood-brain barrier does not provide sufficient protection. She has just received research funding totalling 25,000 euros from the Heinz-Walter Menke Foundation to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cerebral metastasis in breast cancer patients.

New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

In cooperation with Professor Małgorzata Burek from the Clinic and Polyclinic for Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy, Curtaz is investigating serum-based factors such as cytokines and microRNAs that influence the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and can therefore promote the development of brain metastases. The aim of this translational project is to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in order to be able to treat affected patients earlier and in a more targeted manner.

"Our research should help to better understand these processes and identify clinically useful markers and target structures," says Carolin Curtaz. Initial results from the project have already been presented at specialist conferences and published. "The funding now enables us to carry out in-depth analyses in the laboratory and set up further studies," says Curtaz.

You can find a selection of publications on the topic in the online report.