title: Cholesterol and breast cancer development.
abstract: Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring type of cancer in the world. Among the environmental factors believed to be responsible for this phenomenon, cholesterol has recently received considerable attention. Epidemiologic studies have provided inconclusive results, indicating that there may be a relationship between abnormal plasma cholesterol levels and breast cancer risk. However, more compelling evidence has been obtained in laboratory studies, and they indicate that cholesterol is capable of regulating proliferation, migration, and signaling pathways in breast cancer. In vivo studies have also indicated that plasma cholesterol levels can regulate tumor growth in mouse models. The recognition of cholesterol as a factor contributing to breast cancer development identifies cholesterol and its metabolism as novel targets for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Danilo
authors.forename: Philippe G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol