Effect of Cx-mimetic peptide administration on breast cancer brain metastasis development

Brain metastasis occurs in 10-15% of the breast cancer patients and entails a strong component of tumor-host interactions. Recent evidence suggests a crucial role for transmembrane connexin (Cx) proteins, primarily Cx43, in the tumor-host interactions by forming intercellular communication pathways. GAP27 is a Cx-mimetic peptide that inhibits Cx-based intercellular communication.
We examine the effect of GAP27 on the initial seeding and subsequent colonization of the brain by using a xenograft model for rat brain metastasis that allows follow-up by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MDA-MB-231br/EGFP breast cancer cell line was used for this purpose.

Researcher: Valerie De Meulenaere.