Insights into Hypoxia: Non-invasive Assessment through Imaging Modalities and Its Application in Breast Cancer.

Insights into Hypoxia: Non-invasive Assessment through Imaging Modalities and Its Application in Breast Cancer. J Breast Cancer. 2019 Jun;22(2):155-171 Authors: Daimiel I Abstract Oxygen is crucial to maintain the homeostasis in aerobic cells. Hypoxia is a condition in which cells are deprived of the oxygen supply necessary for their optimum performance. Whereas oxygen deprivation may occur in normal physiological processes, hypoxia is frequently associated with pathological conditions. It has been identified as a stressor in the tumor microenvironment, acting as a key mediator of cancer development. Numerous pathways are activated in hypoxic cells that affect cell signaling and gene regulation to promote the survival of these cells by stimulating angiogenesis, switching cellular metabolism, slowing their growth rate, and preventing apoptosis. The induction of dysregulated metabolism in cancer cells by hypoxia results in aggressive tumor phenotypes that are characterized by rapid progression, treatment resistance, and poor prognosis. A non-invasive assessment of hypoxia-induced metabolic and architectural changes in tumors is advisable to fully improve breast cancer (BC) patient management, by potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsy procedures and evaluating tumor response to treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular changes in breast tumors secondary to hypoxia and the non-invasive imaging a...
Source: Journal of Breast Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: J Breast Cancer Source Type: research