Oncogenic effects of ECM remodeling in obesity and breast cancer

Authors

Mackenzie L. Hawes, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Marcus A. Moody, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Caroline R. McCauley, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Abigail G. Huddleston, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Maansi Solanky, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Dara H. Khosravi, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Ayushi R. Patel, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Ronald M. Lynch, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
Suresh K. Alahari, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
Bruce A. Bunnell, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Jorge A. Belgodere, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Van T. Hoang, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Matthew E. Burow, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Elizabeth C. Martin, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-22-2025

Publication Title

Oncogene

Abstract

Extracellular matrix (ECM) components are key regulators in breast cancer progression, as ECM remodeling is essential for breast cancer cells to invade into surrounding tissue. This process is characterized by the alignment of fibrillar collagens, breakdown of basement membrane components, and increased interstitial collagen stiffness. In patients with obesity, pre-existing ECM changes, including excessive collagen deposition and heightened matrix stiffness, mimic alterations detected in breast cancer. Given that obesity is a predictor of poor prognosis and resistance to treatment in breast cancer, it is crucial to understand how ECM conditioned by obesity affects disease outcomes. In this review, we highlight known ECM changes that occur with breast cancer and obesity and describe how these changes impact cancer cell metastasis, disease progression, and the breast cancer tumor microenvironment. We examine how obesity driven ECM remodeling affects treatment response and resistance. Further, we discuss how the compounding factor of age contributes to remodeling and current preclinical models of ECM in breast cancer.

First Page

3409

Last Page

3421

PubMed ID

40847127

Volume

44

Issue

37

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Hawes, Mackenzie L.; Moody, Marcus A.; McCauley, Caroline R.; Huddleston, Abigail G.; Solanky, Maansi; Khosravi, Dara H.; Patel, Ayushi R.; Lynch, Ronald M.; Alahari, Suresh K.; Bunnell, Bruce A.; Belgodere, Jorge A.; Hoang, Van T.; Burow, Matthew E.; and Martin, Elizabeth C., "Oncogenic effects of ECM remodeling in obesity and breast cancer" (2025). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 3967.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/3967
10.1038/s41388-025-03521-x