Circulating Fetal Cells and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the female population. The protective mechanism associated with pregnancy is not fully understood. During pregnancy fetal cells cross the placental barrier and may remain in the maternal circulation even for up to 30 years after childbirth. This phenomenon is called fetal microchimerism. The presence of circulating fetal cells would have a protective role against breast cancer. However, their phenotype and role in the anti-tumor response is not explored. The objective of the study is to identify the sub-population (s) of circulating fetal immune cells that may have an impact on the processes of carcinogenesis in breast cancer, in the context of fetal microchimerism.