Breast Cancer Metastasis Research Group

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is associated with an extremely poor prognosis. Approximately 5-15% of patients with metastatic breast cancer will develop LM. Despite advances in our understanding and treatment of the disease, outcomes remain abysmal, with a median survival of 3-6 months. LM is characterized by the dissemination of tumor cells throughout the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and leptomeningeal surfaces, where they encounter a metabolically unique microenvironment that is markedly distinct from other metastatic sites. The CSF is nutrient-poor, with significantly lower metabolite abundance relative to peripheral tissues. As a result, successful colonization of the leptomeninges requires tumor cells to undergo significant adaptations to survive and proliferate under these conditions.

 

My project seeks to characterize the metabolic landscape of solid cancer leptomeningeal metastases in both spontaneous PDX models and cell line sub-populations that have been selected to form leptomeningeal metastases (LeptoM). Through these models we hope to identify unique metabolic pathways required for leptomeningeal metastatic growth.