Maria Secrier

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Dormant breast cancer cells hide behind protective cellular shields

As of September 2026: Co-lead of the research team

Researchers at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, and University College London have produced the most detailed cellular map yet of breast tumors. It reveals pockets of dormant cancer cells, cells that can survive chemotherapy and reawaken years later to cause recurrence.

Updated Sep 7

Notable Quotes

Different parts of the tumor will likely respond to different drugs. If we understand what drug combinations we can use to target both the proliferative and the dormant areas, potentially that could be more successful than current therapies.

from Dormant breast cancer cells hide behind protective cellular shields · Updated Sep 7

The cancer cells are really encapsulated within these areas of macrophages and fibroblasts that we think act as shields for these dormant cancer cells. But we don't yet know the direction of cause and effect.

from Dormant breast cancer cells hide behind protective cellular shields · Updated Sep 7