FURI | Spring 2018

Effect of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts on Breast Cancer Cell Migration Parameters

The research objective of this work is to study breast cancer cells’ migratory parameter, speed and persistence, in the presence of a stromal component, Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs). To achieve this, a 3D micropatterned in vitro model recapitulating the native tumor environment has been utilized. Two major cell lines are being studied: the minimally invasive MCF-7 and highly invasive MDA-MB-231. Real-time cell tracking experiments are being carried out to study speed and persistence of aforementioned tumor cell lines. Future research will be conducted toward understanding the impact of CAFs on chemotherapy resistance.