Project 12

INVESTIGATION OF CIRCULATING TUMOR CELL RELEASE DUE TO TISSUE DAMAGE FROM BREAST CANCER BIOPSY/SURGERY.

The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer often involves biopsy and/or surgical removal of the primary tumor, resulting in tissue injury. These initial tissue injuries could contribute significantly to the blood-borne dissemination of tumor cells leading to the formation of metastases. In this project, we will investigate the extent of release of these circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and tumor cell products such as circulating nucleic acids (ctDNA, microRNA) using "liquid biopsy" assays from peripheral blood. The study will include 200 women with suspicious findings on diagnostic tests who undergo breast cancer biopsy and women with confirmed cancer who undergo surgical resection of their primary tumor. Women without a histopathologic diagnosis of breast cancer are used as a control group. CTCs released during biopsy and surgery will be studied by molecular analysis to confirm their origin and malignancy.