Abstract
Brain metastases remain a significant challenge in the treatment of breast cancer patients due to the unique environment posed by the central nervous system. A better understanding of the biology of breast cancer cells that have metastasized to the brain is required to develop improved therapies. A recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences article demonstrates that breast cancer cells in the brain microenvironment express γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-related genes, enabling them to utilize GABA as an oncometabolite, thus gaining a proliferative advantage. In this viewpoint, we highlight these findings and their potential impact on the treatment of breast cancer brain metastases.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / metabolism
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Brain Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Brain Neoplasms / secondary
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Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology
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Female
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GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
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Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism
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Humans
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
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Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects
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gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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GABA Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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Receptors, GABA-A
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gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
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4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase
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Glutamate Decarboxylase