ErbB-2 nuclear function in breast cancer growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy

Elizalde, Patricia V.; Cordo Russo, Rosalia I.; Chervo, Maria F.; Schillaci, Roxana

Abstract

Approximately 15-20% of breast cancers (BC) show either membrane overexpression of ErbB-2 (MErbB-2), a member of the ErbBs family of receptor tyrosine kinases, or ERBB2 gene amplification. Until the development of MErbB-2-targeted therapies, this BC subtype, called ErbB-2-positive, was associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Although these therapies have significantly improved overall survival and cure rates, resistance to available drugs is still a major clinical issue. In its classical mechanism, MErbB-2 activates downstream signaling cascades, which transduce its effects in BC. The fact that ErbB-2 is also present in the nucleus of BC cells was discovered over twenty years ago. Also, compelling evidence revealed a non-canonical function of nuclear ErbB-2 as a transcriptional regulator. As a deeper understanding of nuclear ErbB-2 actions would be crucial to the disclosure of its role as a biomarker and a target of therapy in BC, we will here review its function in BC, in particular, its role in growth, metastatic spreading and response to currently available MErbB-2-positive BC therapies.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000388940100009 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: ENDOCRINE-RELATED CANCER
Volumen: 23
Número: 12
Editorial: BioScientifica Ltd.
Fecha de publicación: 2016
Página de inicio: T243
Página final: T257
DOI:

10.1530/ERC-16-0360

Notas: ISI