Mammary gland development, reproductive history, and breast cancer risk.
The observation that normal pathways of differentiation and development are invariably altered during the process of carcinogenesis implies an intrinsic relationship between these processes. This relationship is particularly evident in the breast, as exemplified by the existence of endocrine risk factors for breast cancer that are related to the timing of normal developmental events. Understanding the mechanisms by which normal developmental events alter breast cancer risk is a central focus of our laboratory. Herein, we describe three approaches being taken in our laboratory toward defining the molecular basis of this relationship. These include: determining the roles played by the tumor suppressor genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, in the normal differentiation and development of the breast; studying the function of three novel protein kinases identified in our laboratory in mammary epithelial development; and defining the molecular and cellular changes that occur in the breast as a result of reproductive events known to influence breast cancer risk.
Chodosh
L A
LA
Department of Molecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6100, USA. chodosh@mail.med.upenn.edu
D'Cruz
C M
CM
Gardner
H P
HP
Ha
S I
SI
Marquis
S T
ST
Rajan
J V
JV
Stairs
D B
DB
Wang
J Y
JY
Wang
M
M
D000818:Animals; D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D001940:Breast / Q000254:growth & development*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D019398:Genes, BRCA1; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012098:Reproduction; D012307:Risk Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D024682:BRCA2 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors