title: Fibroblast growth factor receptors in breast cancer: expression, downstream effects, and possible drug targets.
abstract: Cancer treatments are increasingly focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying the oncogenic processes present in tumors of individual patients. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are among the many molecules that are involved in oncogenesis and are currently under investigation for their potential as drug targets in breast cancer patients. These receptor tyrosine kinases play a role in several processes including proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration. Alterations in these basal processes can contribute to the development and progression of tumors. Among breast cancer patients, several subgroups have been shown to harbor genetic aberrations in FGFRs, including amplifications of FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR4 and mutations in FGFR2 and FGFR4. Here, we review in vitro and in vivo models that have partly elucidated the molecular implications of these different genetic aberrations, the resulting tumor characteristics, and the potential of FGFRs as therapeutic targets for breast cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology Division of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tenhagen
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Diest
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ivanova
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van der Wall
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Groep
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor