Role of Nf-kB/Rel in the Etiology of Breast Cancer
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests one reason for the rise in breast cancer incidence is increased exposure to and bioaccumulation of environmental pollutants. Work from the Pi's laboratory has demonstrated that human breast tumor cell lines and primary breast tumor tissue constitutively express high levels of functional nuclear NF-kappa B/Rel activity, in contrast to untransformed breast epithelial cells or mammary tissue. Experiments are proposed using cell lines in culture, primary tissue and a transgenic mouse model to test the role of nuclear NF-kappa B/Rel activity in the etiology of breast cancer. The results of these studies will provide important information on the potential role of NF-icB/Rel factor overexpression in the etiology of breast disease. Rel factors represent an important link between environmental factors and the increased incidence of breast cancer. The different patterns of Rel factor expression in various tumors suggest the possibility that NF %B/Rel factor represents a new class of potential marker(s) for analysis of progression of breast disease. Importantly, since Rel factor activity is sensitive to treatment with a number of anti-oxidants, demonstration that NF-kB/Rel factors play a role in the etiology of breast cancer would provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of breast disease.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA390443
Entities
People
- Gail E. Sonenshein
Organizations
- Boston University Medical Campus