Metastatic Progression of Breast Cancer by Allelic Loss on Chromosome 18q21
Abstract
The majority of breast cancer cases is of sporadic origin and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Mutations in the Smad2 and Smad4 genes, localized to chromosome 18q, a region frequently deleted in advanced cancers is rare in breast cancer unlike pancreatic, colon, lung and ovarian cancers. These findings support the existence of other tissue specific genes that are specifically targeted for inactivation in breast cancer. Our survey of the various Smad genes using a novel technique known as "TEGD" (targeted expressed gene display) has provided the first clues in identifying the Smad8 gene as an important target for loss of expression in nearly 30% of breast cancers, a level of alteration similar to that of the HER/neu gene, a celebrated tumor marker for breast cancer. These studies further suggest that loss of expression of the Smad4 gene or over- expression of the Smad7 gene could be important in breast cancer. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that disabling the Smad signaling pathway could be an important step in the genesis of breast cancer. Further studies to unravel the other modes of alterations of Smad genes as well as alternate targets in the Smad signaling pathways are in progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410792
Entities
People
- Sam Thiagalingam
Organizations
- Boston University