NK cells may help limit metastasis in women with breast cancer

The main cause of death in women with breast cancer is spread of the original tumor to distant sites, a process known as metastasis. Immune cells known as NK cells help limit tumor progression and metastasis in animal models.

But now, a team of researchers, led by Emilie Mamessier and Daniel Olive, at INSERM UMR 891, France, has found that NK cells have a similar role in women with breast cancer, since dysfunction of these cells accompanies breast tumor progression in humans. Interestingly, the team also found that invasive breast tumors have modulated their environment in order to evade the antitumor activity of NK cells. The team therefore suggests that therapies designed to restore NK cell antitumor activity could be of benefit to individuals with breast cancer.