New PTEN Signal Pathway in Breast Cancer
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second deadliest cancer in US women, with estimated 182,800 new cases yearly. PTEN has been characterized as a tumor suppressor gene and found deleted or mutated in many human tumors, including breast, and functions to negatively regulate cell growth, migration, etc, through down-regulation of downstream mediators, such as Akt, etc. Germline PTEN mutations are associated with Cowden syndrome, characterized by increased risk of developing breast cancer. PTEN expression has a positive ER and PR status in primary breast cancers. Whereas, approximately 65% of tumors tested are positive for ER and PR and 75%-80% positive for AR. Androgen, through AR, inhibits mammary carcinoma growth in animal models and is used clinically to influence breast cancer progression. AR germline mutations can cause partial androgen insensitivity. Combined with BRCAl germline mutations associated with earlier age onset breast cancer, AR functional changes are implicated in breast cancer, suggesting PTEN and AR play roles in breast cancer progression. However, detailed correlations remain unknown. We propose the PTEN pathway, by AR interaction, results in AR-mediated cell growth modulation, and provides a new molecular mechanism of PTEN-mediated AR suppression signaling pathways. Our studies may provide new gene therapies/drug designs for breast cancer patients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA427136
Entities
People
- Chawnshang Chang
Organizations
- University of Rochester