Tumor-associated neutrophils drive liver-specific metastatic progression in breast cancer through methionine metabolism mediated by methionine adenosyltransferase II alpha.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The mechanisms underlying the pronounced organotropism of breast cancer (BC) for the liver remain incompletely elucidated. This study aims to investigate the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), and their metabolic regulation in breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM).

Methods

We employed a multi-level integrative approach. Bioinformatic analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets characterized the immune landscape of BCLM. Clinical specimens, and in vitro assays were utilized to define the functional interplay between TANs and BC cells. Metabolomic profiling of patient samples was conducted to characterize metabolic alterations in BCLM.

Results

A neutrophil-enriched TME was identified as a

SUBMITTER: Huang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12776239 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature