Breast-to-Brain Metastasis: from Microenvironment to Plasticity

Abstract Purpose of Review Brain metastasis is a significant cause mortality in breast cancer patients and treatment options are limited. This article will focus on the dynamic intercellular communication between metastatic cells, tumor microenvironment, neighboring brain cells to breach brain’s defenses promote progression. Recent Findings advances have further elucidated how traverse through blood–brain barrier implicated blood–cerebrospinal fluid as potential entry point. Tumor once within milieu utilize factors secreted by dynamically reprogram neurons, glial infiltrating leukocytes for their own colonization survival. Summary Current research has illuminated key mechanisms infiltrate assimilate new environment. New multimodal treatments investigating not only chemotherapy radiation that can target but also immune checkpoint inhibitor–based therapies sensitize microenvironment.