Survival for women with HR+ breast cancer has increased over the past several decades.  However, estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive (HR+) Her2neg breast cancer continues to exhibit tremendous metastatic capability, as evidenced by the fact that 73.1% of women with metastatic breast cancer were diagnosed with HR+ disease. Successfully preventing metastatic dissemination remains a significant barrier to reducing mortality associated. Here, we explore the link between the gut microbiota, mammary tissue microenvironment, and lungs - defining how an unhealthy and inflamed gut microbiome impacts long-term susceptibility to metastatic breast cancer. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn what gut microbial dysbiosis is and understand the systemic consequences of an unhealthy gut microbiome. 

2. Understand different mechanisms whereby the host microbiome can impact metastatic breast cancer. 

3. Explain how interactions between the gut microbiota and mammary/lung microenvironments contribute to metastatic progression.