University of L'Aquila

Notch2 and CXCR4 Identified as Key Drivers of Breast Cancer Dormancy in Bone Marrow

- Researchers led by Professor Anna Teti at the University of L'Aquila discovered that Notch2, not Notch1, is the dominant signaling protein driving breast cancer cell dormancy in bone marrow endosteal niches. - Dormant cancer cells mimic hematopoietic stem cells by expressing CXCR4, CD34, and TIE2, and activate stress-response pathways including the unfolded protein response to survive long-term. - High CD177 expression was identified as a new marker linked to dormant breast cancer cells, associated with reduced proliferation and improved patient survival outcomes. - The findings open new therapeutic possibilities for eliminating dormant cancer cells or preventing their reactivation, potentially reducing relapse risk in breast cancer patients.