ALK and TGF-Beta Resistance in Breast Cancer
Abstract
TGF- signaling represents a major tumor suppressor pathway. Loss of the TGF- response is a hallmark in human cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying TGF- resistance in breast cancer have not been elucidated. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) is a tyrosine receptor kinase of insulin superfamily. IBC is relatively rare but the most lethal subtype of breast cancer. Thus, it is important to identify biomarkers, understand better current therapies and find new potential therapies for IBC. Our long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying TGF- resistance in human cancer. The short-term strategy of our research is to focus on ALK-induced inactivation of Smad4 in breast cancer. Our unifying hypothesis is that ALK causes TGF- resistance through Smad4 inactivation and disrupts the growth constraints exerted by TGF- signaling to promote breast tumorigenesis. To test our hypothesis, we propose the following specific aims to achieve our goals: 1.Investigate in vivo and clinical relevance of Smad4 tyrosine phosphorylation in breast cancer; 2. Determine the role of ALKmediatedSmad4 phosphorylation in TGF- resistance in IBC; 3. Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Smad4tyrosine phosphorylation. This proposal will contribute significantly to breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1045094
Entities
People
- Feng Xin-hua
- Yi Li
Organizations
- Baylor College of Medicine