Tumor growth is dependent on the ability of malignant cells to survive in the microenvironment of the organ where it develops. Normal cells in the tumor microenvironment contribute for this adaptative process by sharing soluble factors and organic molecules that meet the energetic and biomass requirements of the tumor.
O surgimento de um tumor está dependente da capacidade que as células malignas têm de sobreviver ao microambiente do órgão onde este se desenvolve. As células normais presentes no microambiente tumoral contribuem para este processo adaptativo através da partilha de fatores solúveis e moléculas orgânicas que satisfazem as exigências energéticas e de biomassa do tumor.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In Portugal, for example, about 4,500 new cases of breast cancer are detected annually, and 1,500 women die of this disease. Although chemotherapy has been shown to be effective against this malignant neoplasm, depending on several factors (such as histology, degree and stage of disease, among others), there have been increasing cases of resistance to drugs used in current chemotherapy treatments.
Iron is an essential functional element for several biologic processes, such as energy production and intermediate metabolism. However, when in excess, it can be toxic and produce free radicals. As a fundamental element involved in cell metabolism, division and proliferation, iron has been implicated as an important player in cancer development. Iron is thought to promote carcinogenesis through iron-induced oxidative stress, modulation of signaling networks associated with malignancy and by providing selective advantage to rapidly growing tumor cells.
O ferro é um elemento essencial em vários processos biológicos, incluindo a produção de energia e o metabolismo secundário. No entanto, quando em excesso, pode ser tóxico e levar à produção de radicais livres. Por ser um elemento essencial ao metabolismo, divisão e proliferação celular, o ferro tem sido implicado no desenvolvimento de cancro. Pensa-se que o ferro possa promover a carcinogénese através de stress oxidativo, modulação de vias de sinalização associadas com a malignidade e por providenciar vantagem selectiva a células altamente proliferativas.
AS Ribeiro1,2, FA Carvalho3, J Figueiredo1,2, R Carvalho1, T Mestre4, J Monteiro1, AF Guedes3, M Fonseca4, J Sanches4, R Seruca1,2,5, NC Santos3, J Paredes1,2,5
1 i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal;
2 Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto;
Treatment and management of breast cancer imposes a heavy burden on the public health care. However, in spite of the considerable advancements in the treatment of this malignancy in the recent years, many patients continue to progress to metastatic disease and, for those with advanced breast cancer, palliative care is oftentimes the endpoint. The manifestation of metastases is predictive of poor clinical outcome, and prevails one of the most challenging issues faced by cancer treatment today.
Treatment and management of breast cancer imposes a heavy burden on the public health care. However, in spite of the considerable advancements in the treatment of this malignancy in the recent years, many patients continue to progress to metastatic disease and, for those with advanced breast cancer, palliative care is oftentimes the endpoint. The manifestation of metastases is predictive of poor clinical outcome, and prevails one of the most challenging issues faced by cancer treatment today.
