Nm23-H1/nucleoside diphosphate kinase as a key molecule in breast tumor angiogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Neo-angiogenesis seems to be a critical feature of breast tumor growth, migration and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis may provide information regarding treatment. Since angiogenesis is the result of complex processes, controlled by several angiogenic (pro- and/or -anti) factors and their receptors, multiple ways to prevent or retrogress tumor-induced angiogenesis have been proposed. The clinically significant activity of bevacizumab and other antiangiogenic treatments have attracted a great deal of interest.


OBJECTIVE
We discuss biological aspects of breast cancer angiogenesis and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) as a key molecule in this process.


CONCLUSIONS
In clinical and experimental trials, it was reported that NDPK is inversely related to breast cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. To inhibit the metastatic potential of cancer cells, Nm23-H1/NDP kinase appears to interact with many proteins involved in cellular signal transduction in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis, and therefore reduces the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK in response to those signals.
Division of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, College of Natural Sciences, Busan, 609-735, Korea.
BuHyun
B
Youn
Hag Dong
HD
Kim
Joon
J
Kim
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D054778:NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases