Cripto: A Target for Breast Cancer Treatment
Abstract
Cripto is a growth factor that is important in breast cancer, leading to increases in cell proliferation and to increased survival of cells. Specific receptors for this factor have not been defined for breast cells but there is evidence from published work that Cripto acts as a co-factor for the Nodal factor, previously thought to be present and active only in early embryonic development. This work will define the importance of this route of Cripto signaling in breast cells compared with the other known route involving Pas and the MAPK/Erk pathway. A number of possible ways that Cripto could effect a proliferative signal to breast cells has been described by the SI in the following review article: Eileen D. Adamson, Gabriella Minchiotti, and David. S. Salomon, (2002) CRIPTO: A Tumor Growth Factor and More, J Cell Physiol. 190, 267-278. The experimental studies for exploring the activation mechanism of breast cancer cells by Cripto is underway with the aim of making peptides that block Cripto and its tumorigenic effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407397
Entities
People
- Eileen D. Adamson
Organizations
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute