This month, Cancers, a peer-reviewed, open access journal of oncology, features a comprehensive study focused on invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) models with the goal of ultimately improving the treatment of people with ILC.
First author Dr. George Sflomos provided a lay summary of the study titled Atlas of Lobular Breast Cancer Models: Challenges and Strategic Directions:
“To study carcinomas in the lab, we use various in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo preclinical model systems. Preclinical models are a fundamental player in the fight against cancer. They help us perform studies before an intervention is tested in humans and lead to new therapies. Unfortunately, preclinical models for studying ILC progression and predicting the efficacy of novel therapeutics are scarce.
This study comprehensively presents the characteristics and peculiarities of the few published ILC models. Also, it suggests reconsidering existing breast cancer models traditionally used as non-ILC models, but which possess key ILC features. Overall, this study will guide investigators who are considering implementing ILC models in their research programs.”
Along with Dr. Sflomos, study authors include Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Past Chair Dr. Steffi Oesterreich, and SAB member and European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium (ELBCC) Co-chair Dr. Patrick W. B. Derksen. The work was done on behalf of the ELBCC–LOBSTERPOT CA19138 Action.
This article is included in the special issue of Cancers focusing on clinical, pathological, and molecular peculiarities of ILC. Also featured is How Researchers, Clinicians and Patient Advocates Can Accelerate Lobular Breast Cancer Research authored by LBCA Founder Leigh Pate, ELBCC Co-chair Dr. Christine Desmedt, LBCA SAB Chair Dr. Otto Metzger, LBCA Executive Director Laurie Hutcheson, Lobular Breast Cancer UK Founder and Chair Claire Turner, Lobular Ireland Founding Member Siobhán Freeney, and Dr. Oesterreich.
Guest editors for this special issue of Cancers included Dr. Derksen along with Dr. Desmedt and Dr. Anne Vincent-Solomon.
