70% of breast cancer patients develop metastatic bone deposits, predominantly spinal metasases. Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are multiprogenitor stem cells found within the bone marow which have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types. MSCs home specifically to tumour sites, highlighting their potential as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. However studies show they may also increase tumour metastatic potential. To investigate interactions between MSCs and breast cancer cells to further elucidate their role in the tumour microenvironment and hence understand factors involved in stimulating the formation of bone metastases.Background
Aim
