title: Targeting translation initiation in breast cancer.
abstract: Over the past 20 years, a better understanding of cancer biology, screening for early detection, improved adjuvant treatment, and targeted therapies have decreased the rate of breast cancer deaths. However, resistance to treatment is common, and new approaches are needed. Deregulation of translation initiation is associated with the commencement and progression of cancer. Often, translation initiation factors are overexpressed and the related signaling pathways activated in human tumors. Recently, a significant number of inhibitors that target translation factors and pathways have become available. These inhibitors are being tested alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in clinical trials. The results are varied, and it is not yet clear which drug treatments most effectively inhibit tumor growth. This review highlights the pathways and downstream effects of the activation of translation and discusses targeting the control of translation initiation as a therapeutic approach in cancer, focusing on breast cancer clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics; Houston, TX USA.
authors.forename: Argun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akcakanat
authors.affiliation: Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics; Houston, TX USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics; Houston, TX USA; Department of Surgical Oncology; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX USA.
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meric-Bernstam
keywords: breast cancer; cell signaling; molecular targeted therapy; translation initiation; translational control