Instead of looking for genetic
changes during cancer progression, McDonald and his colleagues examined epigenetics — modifications of chromosomal DNA and proteins that control gene function.
Researchers at the Université libre de Bruxelles, ULB define for the first time the tumor transition states
occurring during cancer progression and identify the tumor cell populations responsible for metastasis.
Additionally, CSCs could provide clues about the novel stem cell pathways
activated during cancer progression, which, in turn, could guide further therapeutic steps and clinical trials design.
Human pathology studies suggest that tumor cells invade collectively as strands, cords and clusters of cells into the stroma, which is dramatically
reorganized during cancer progression.
HLA - B7 and β2 microglobulin are components of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC - I), expression of which is often
altered during cancer progression, allowing tumor cells to evade the immune system.
During the progression of breast cancer, DUSP6 expression decreases according to our and others data.49 Thus,
during cancer progression due to the less active DUSP6, ERK1 / 2 becomes more active.