Genomic and immune profiling of breast cancer brain metastases.

Summary: When breast cancer spreads to the brain, it becomes very hard to treat. Scientists wanted to know what makes these brain tumors different from tumors in other parts of the body. They looked at the DNA and immune cells of 42 patients. They found that while the brain tumors share many traits with the original cancer, they also have unique changes. For example, brain tumors have different ways of repairing DNA and making energy. They also have a different mix of immune cells around them. Understanding these unique traits could help doctors create better, targeted treatments for breast cancer that has spread to the brain.