Molecular biology of breast cancer metastasis. Genetic regulation of human breast carcinoma metastasis

Breast Cancer Res. 2000;2(6):408-16. doi: 10.1186/bcr87. Epub 2000 Jul 21.

Abstract

The present is an overview of recent data that describes the genetic underpinnings of the suppression of cancer metastasis. Despite the explosion of new information about the genetics of cancer, only six human genes have thus far been shown to suppress metastasis functionally. Not all have been shown to be functional in breast carcinoma. Several additional genes inhibit various steps of the metastatic cascade, but do not necessarily block metastasis when tested using in vivo assays. The implications of this are discussed. Two recently discovered metastasis suppressor genes block proliferation of tumor cells at a secondary site, offering a new target for therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cadherins / genetics
  • Cadherins / physiology
  • Carcinoma / genetics
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / secondary*
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Humans
  • Kangai-1 Protein
  • Kisspeptins
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / physiology
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins*
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • BRMS1 protein, human
  • CD82 protein, human
  • Cadherins
  • KISS1 protein, human
  • Kangai-1 Protein
  • Kisspeptins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4
  • MAP2K4 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase
  • Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins