乳がん細胞の転移性表現型発現誘導法の確立に関する検討

抄録

Despite advances in cancer treatment, the mechanisms of metastasis remain largely unknown. We have developed a rapid method to generate millimeter-sized cancer spheroids using a superhydrophobic substrate. In this study, we applied our technique to analyze epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein expression in breast cancer spheroids and escaping cells. Three days after formation, we observed increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a mesenchymal marker, in cells escaping from spheroids and in escaped cells. Our results suggest that promoting cell escape from spheroids changes the phenotype of cancer cells within a short period of time.