By. Neil Carleton, MD
Date. 12/07/2023
In the interview with Neil Carleton, MD, the discussion revolved around the age-related remodeling of the systemic and breast microenvironment and its implications for promoting a tumor-permissive environment in ER+ breast cancer, as presented in recent research. Dr. Carleton expertly elaborated on the significance of factors beyond accumulating mutations, such as changes in estrogen disposition, inflammation, and immune contexture, in contributing to the age-related nature of ER+ breast cancer. He emphasized the potential impact of understanding these factors on future approaches to cancer prevention and treatment in older women.
As the conversation delved deeper, Dr. Carleton shed light on the research’s focus on the combination of changes in estrogen disposition, age-related chronic inflammatory states, and immune dysfunction as contributors to a permissive tissue microenvironment for ER+ tumor growth in older women. His insights provided valuable perspectives on how this understanding could inform the development of targeted therapies or interventions tailored to this specific population, potentially revolutionizing the approach to treating ER+ breast cancer in older individuals.
The interview also touched upon the use of an aged rat model with DMBA/MPA carcinogen-induced ER+ mammary tumors in the study. Dr. Carleton discussed the rationale behind choosing this model and addressed how well the findings align with observations in human breast cancer patients, providing a bridge between experimental research and its potential applicability in clinical settings.
Lastly, the discussion turned to the research’s methodology, involving the analysis of estrogen disposition and a panel of inflammatory factors from matched plasma, tumor tissue, and tumor-adjacent tissue in patients with ER+ breast cancer across different age groups. Dr. Carleton shared key findings related to changes in hormone biology and chronic inflammation, offering insights into how these discoveries might impact clinical strategies for managing ER+ breast cancer in older women. Overall, Neil Carleton, MD, provided a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the research, offering valuable perspectives on its implications for understanding and treating ER+ breast cancer in the context of aging.