Mononuclear Leukocyte and Breast Cancer Cell Interaction Affects Angiogenic Activity

Authors

Philip Maximilian Scherer, Brigham Young University
Dr. Kim L. O'Neill, Brigham Young University

Keywords

mononuclear leukocyte, breast cancer cell, angiogenic activity, health concern

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

In 2005, the National Cancer Society estimated that about 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States will be diagnosed. Overall, an estimated 1,372,910 new cases of cancer and 570,280 cancer deaths in the United States are predicted for 2005. The National Institutes of Health estimated that the overall costs for cancer in 2004 were $189.9 billion. Cancer is thus a growing health concern. While past research has investigated genes in order to find a cure to cancer, current research now emphasizes a study of the microenvironment surrounding the cancer. The purpose of this research was to study the interaction between cancer cells and the immune system. This project addressed the following question: Do breast cancer cells elicit higher levels of blood vessel formation on their own, or do they require mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs) to induce significantly higher levels of angiogenesis?

Recommended Citation

Scherer, Philip Maximilian and O'Neill, Dr. Kim L. (2013) "Mononuclear Leukocyte and Breast Cancer Cell Interaction Affects Angiogenic Activity," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1240.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1240