title: RANKL Signaling and ErbB Receptors in Breast Carcinogenesis.
abstract: ErbB family members, ErbB1/EGFR/HER-1, ErbB2/HER-2, ErbB3/HER-3 and ErbB4/HER-4, have been implicated in breast cancer (BC) tumorigenicity. Recently, crucial roles for RANK/RANKL signaling in addition to key downstream factor NF-κB have been demonstrated in mammary tumorigenesis. Here, we present the hypothesis of a novel association between ErbB and RANK pathways in promoting BC. The proposed model alludes to the cross-talk that might occur between RANK and ErbB receptors. This interplay might regulate RANK signaling and consequently, modulate carcinogenesis, mainly in ErbB2 over-expressing BC cells. Thus, we highlight the significance of the RANK/RANKL axis as a putative therapeutic target in this malignancy, and furthermore, suggest that the combination of ErbB and RANK/RANKL inhibitors may have therapeutic benefit for certain BC patients.
authors: Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Ilianna
authors: I
authors: Zoi
authors: Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: mkaramouz@med.uoa.gr.
authors: Michalis V
authors: MV
authors: Karamouzis
authors: Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Adamopoulos
authors: Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: papavas@med.uoa.gr.
authors: Athanasios G
authors: AG
authors: Papavassiliou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D053245:RANK Ligand; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; C505686:TNFRSF11A protein, human; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: ErbB; ErbB2; NF-κB; RANK; breast cancer