Cell-Cell Adhesion and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor in Breast Cancer
Abstract
The insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) is a multifunctional tyrosine kinase that has been recently implicated in breast cancer. The IGF-IR is often overexpressed in estrogen receptor (ER)- positive breast tumors and this feature predicts enhanced tumor drug- and radio-resistance and cancer recurrence at the primary site. Our previous work demonstrated that the IGF-IR induces cell survival, growth and estrogen-independence in hormone-sensitive cells. Our next goal was to study IGF-IR function in metastatic breast cancer cells that have lost the expression of important markers of good prognosis such as E-cadherin and the ER. Using MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cells and their IGF-IR-overexpressing derivatives, we demonstrated that, unlike in ER-positive cells, IGF-I has no growth or survival function in these cells but it is necessary to stimulate cell motility. The IGF-I-induced motility was mediated through PI-3 and p38 kinases, and was inhibited by the activation of ERK1/ERK2 kinases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA388009
Entities
People
- Ewa Surmacz
- Monica Bartucci
Organizations
- Thomas Jefferson University