The role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in breast cancer metastasis

Our understanding of many aspects of cancer biology has been advanced through the use of modern genetics. These studies have already shown that germ line polymorphisms play a significant role in disease initiation and response to therapy. However, what is less well studied is the role of germ line polymorphisms in cancer progression. Studies in rodents indicate that differential susceptibility to cancer metastasis can be heritable; thus, the search for the genes that control cancer metastasis is underway. Although some provocative studies suggest potential candidates for metastasis regulating genes, the conclusive identification of a specific inherited genetic variant that alters metastatic potential awaits further studies.