N-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-L-Homoserine Lactone in the Breast Tumor Microenvironment

dc.contributor.authorBalhouse, Brittany Nicoleen
dc.contributor.committeechairVerbridge, Scotten
dc.contributor.committeememberSchmelz, Eva M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberDavalos, Rafael V.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSlade, Daniel J.en
dc.contributor.departmentBiomedical Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2017-06-13T08:00:19Zen
dc.date.available2017-06-13T08:00:19Zen
dc.date.issued2017-06-12en
dc.description.abstractThe tumor microenvironment is a well-recognized contributor to cancer progression in solid tumors. Cancer cell interactions with abnormal extracellular matrix, tumor associated immune and stromal cells, and aberrant fluid flow all contribute to cancer progression. Breast tumors are often characterized by a dense collagenous stroma and a hypoxic core. A recently identified and little understood component of the breast tumor microenvironment is the breast microbiome. The work described here elaborates on the importance of the tumor microenvironment in cancer progression and demonstrates the importance of studying cancer-microbiome interactions in the context of tumor microenvironmental stimuli.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralOne of the major barriers to effective cancer treatment is the environment is which cancer grows. Tumors insulate themselves in a thick protein structure that leads to a stiffening of the breast tissue. In addition, irregular tumor-associated blood vessels lead to poor blood flow, and therefore a lack of oxygen, in the center of the tumor. These and other characteristics of tumors create an environment in which cancer cells are resistant to current anti-cancer therapies and thereby allows them to flourish. It was recently discovered that, contrary to previous belief, there are resident bacteria present in normal and cancerous breast tissue. The role they play in controlling cancer development and progression in the tumor is unknown. The work described here elaborates on the tumor environmental barriers to current anti-cancer therapies and shows how one bacterial produced compound may interact with other features of the tumor environment in order to control breast cancer survival.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:11306en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/78027en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectN-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactoneen
dc.subjectbreast canceren
dc.subjectmicrobiomeen
dc.subjecttissue engineeringen
dc.subjecttumor microenvironmenten
dc.subjectin vitroen
dc.titleN-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-L-Homoserine Lactone in the Breast Tumor Microenvironmenten
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiomedical Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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