This paper reviews an article titled, “Effects of Hypoxia, Surrounding Fibroblasts, and p16 Expression on Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion” conducted by Zhang, Li, and Lu (2015). The study was conducted to determine whether migration and invasion of breast cancer cells were stimulated by hypoxia, as well as determining whether the expression of p16 ectopically had the potential to modulate the cell migration and invasion resulting from hypoxia. The authors also aimed at determining whether stromal cells that were co-cultured could promote cell division of BCA. Besides, they aimed at establishing whether this effect could be inhibited by p16 and whether fibroblasts’ HIF-1α played a particular role in promoting cell invasiveness of co-cultured BCa (Zhang, Li, and Lu 431). Though the authors did not categorically state the study hypothesis, it could be deduced that they expected the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells were promoted by hypoxia. Another possible expectation was that this migration and invasion induced by hypoxia could be inhibited by p16.
The experiment was conducted through a series of lab experiments. The Human Breast Cancer (BCa) cells and other specimens were obtained from institutional labs and labs managed by individuals. The obtained cells were cultured in various growth media to obtain sufficient quantities for the experiment. Several techniques were applied to address the study questions. These techniques included immunohistochemistry, cell migration assays, In vitro invasion assay with commercially pre-coated invasion inserts, and In vitro assay with self-coated matrigel (Zhang, Li, and Lu 431).
The researchers established that the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells were enhanced by hypoxia. They also established that the invasiveness of these breast cancer cells was stimulated further by co-cultured fibroblasts (Zhang, Li, and Lu 434). With the aid of a Tet-on inducible system, the authors were able to demonstrate that p16 could inhibit cell migration and invasion induced by hypoxia. p16 was also shown to have the capability of suppressing the invasive abilities of the breast cancer cells stimulated by co-cultured fibroblasts (Zhang, Li, and Lu 435). These results fully addressed the study question and proved the hypotheses set by the researchers. The positivity of these results also demonstrated the appropriateness of the study methodology in addressing the study question.
The outcome of this study formed an important source of scientific information. Initially, the researchers had reported the ability of p16 to neutralize the HIF-1α transactivation activity on their target (Zhang et al. 594). They, however, still noted that although the anti-tumor effects of p16 have been extensively studied (Kim et al. 4059; Li et al. 2639), information on p16’s effect, specifically on hypoxia-induced tumor cell proliferation, was lacking (Zhang, Li, and Lu 435). The findings, therefore, filled this informational gap. These findings indicated that in addition to other anti-tumor effects of p16, it can also suppress the migration and subsequent invasion of breast cancer cells induced by hypoxia. Resultantly, the authors suggested that the information could be used as a validation of the cancer therapy mediated by p16, such as gene therapy or internal pharmacological activation of the p16 gene that normally remains inactive as a result of hypermethylation in cancer cells (Zhang, Li, and Lu 435).
These results have had a profound effect on me as a victim of breast cancer. Breast cancer remains a killer disease, particularly when the cells migrate from the affected breast and invade other regions of the body (Lucas, Schey, and Rosenzweig 274). Developing mechanisms for suppressing this migration and subsequent invasion will, therefore, be a big boost in the management of breast cancer (Al-Ansari et al. 1274). To me, the results demonstrate a renewed hope of managing breast cancer, as well as preventing the spread of the cancerous cells to other body parts. This means better treatment outcomes and an improved standard of living in the long run.
Works Cited
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Zhang, Jun, Liyuan Li, and Yi Lu. “Effects of Hypoxia, Surrounding Fibroblasts, and p16 Expression on Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion.” Journal of Cancer, 6(2015): 430-437. Print.