Cell Fate Decisions During Breast Cancer Development

Autor: Kayla Gross, Ania Wronski, Adam Skibinski, Sarah Phillips, Charlotte Kuperwasser
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Developmental Biology, Vol 4, Iss 1, p 4 (2016)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2221-3759
DOI: 10.3390/jdb4010004
Popis: During the formation of breast cancer, many genes become altered as cells evolve progressively from normal to a pre-malignant to a malignant state of growth. How mutations in genes lead to specific subtypes of human breast cancer is only partially understood. Here we review how initial genetic or epigenetic alterations within mammary epithelial cells (MECs) can alter cell fate decisions and put pre-malignant cells on a path towards cancer development with specific phenotypes. Understanding the early stages of breast cancer initiation and progression and how normal developmental processes are hijacked during transformation has significant implications for improving early detection and prevention of breast cancer. In addition, insights gleaned from this understanding may also be important for developing subtype-specific treatment options.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals