Re: Study investigates how breast cancer cells migrate to bone
The article talks about a gene, NOG, that " ...escalates bone degeneration by increasing the number of mature osteoclasts (bone cells that break down bone), essentially creating a spot in the bone for the metastatic breast cancer cells to take up residence." I think I remember not too long ago the thought was that bisphosphonatges that some of us take to help our chemo-ravaged bones might help prevent the spread of breast cancer because of some favorable mechanism it plays with osteoclasts. Too bad that now we are hearing for some people taking bisphosphonates for a long time the chances for a certain type of rare femur fracture increases. It is interesting how promising medical information is often found later to be problematic.---bird
__________________
Male Breast Cancer, DX 5/15/09, IDC, STAGE 1, 1.7 cm, HER2+++, ER+(95%)/PR+(75%), Ki67 40%, grade 3, 0/5 nodes, TX: mastectomy, TCH finished 7/19/10, radiation 6 wks., Tamoxifen on going, bisphosphonate 24 mos.
|