Molecular Analysis of Human Diseases - Thomas C. Spelsberg

Characterization of a Breast Cancer Cell-derived Osteoblast Inhibitory Factor (OBIF)

Dr. Frank Secreto and Shamit Dutta, funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation grant, have found evidence of a breast cancer cell derived osteoblast inhibitory factor (called OBIF) which blocks bone formation. A model has been derived demonstrating a role of this breast cancer cell derived OBIF in enhancing breast cancer cell metastasis. This factor produced by breast cancer cells is a low molecular weight protein secreted in the media as an inhibitory paracrine factor. Compounds such as bisphosphonates seem to regulate the expression or production of this factor.