Roles for the calcium sensing receptor in primary and metastatic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To review the role of the calcium sensing receptor (CASR) in colorectal, breast and parathyroid cancers and related cell lines, and to discuss the effects of CASR in the setting of bone metastases from breast cancer.


METHODS
We performed a literature search of the PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to identify articles concerning the CASR's involvement in different cancers. Further relevant papers were obtained from the references of those identified in the original search.


RESULTS
Loss of CASR expression is understood to be associated with abnormal differentiation and progression of colorectal carcinoma. It is expressed in both normal and malignant breast tissues and has been implicated in the vicious cycle of bone metastases through its interactions with the parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP). In parathyroid tissue, CASR expression has been linked to proliferation of both parathyroid adenomas and carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Apart from its role in calcium homeostasis, the CASR has many diverse functions in a variety of tissue types throughout the body, and is involved in various signalling pathways relating to cell proliferation and differentiation. CASR has been shown to be involved in the progression and spread of a variety of cancers such as colorectal, breast and parathyroid, and is likely to be the focus of much research to further elucidate its precise role.
Manning
A T
AT
Department of Surgery, Clinical Science Institute, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
O'Brien
N
N
Kerin
M J
MJ
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000556:secondary; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000502:physiology; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D044169:Receptors, Calcium-Sensing