Novel insight into triple-negative breast cancers, the emerging role of angiogenesis, and antiangiogenic therapy.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous group of tumours characterised by lack of expression of oestrogen-, progesterone- and human epidermal growth factor receptors. TNBC, which represents approximately 15% of all mammary tumours, has a poor prognosis because of an aggressive behaviour and the lack of specific treatment. Accordingly, TNBC has become a major focus of research into breast cancer and is now classified into several molecular subtypes, each with a different prognosis. Pathological angiogenesis occurs at a late stage in the proliferation of TNBC and is associated with invasion and metastasis; there is an association with metabolic syndrome. Semaphorins are a versatile family of proteins with multiple roles in angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis and may represent a clinically useful focus for therapeutic targeting in this type of breast cancer. Another important field of investigation into the control of pathological angiogenesis is related to the expression of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) - these molecules can be considered as a therapeutic target or as a biomarker. Several molecular agents for intervening in the activity of different signalling pathways are being explored in TNBC, but none has so far proved effective in clinical trials and the disease continues to pose a defining challenge for clinical management as well as innovative cancer research.
Research Centre for Functional Genomics,Biomedicine and Translational Medicine,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Cornelia
C
Braicu
Department of Dermatology,University of Freiburg,Freiburg,Germany.
Roxana
R
Chiorean
Department of Surgical Oncology and Gynaecological Oncology,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Alexandru
A
Irimie
Research Centre for Functional Genomics,Biomedicine and Translational Medicine,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Sergiu
S
Chira
Research Centre for Functional Genomics,Biomedicine and Translational Medicine,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Ciprian
C
Tomuleasa
Department of Surgical Oncology and Gynaecological Oncology,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Emilian
E
Neagoe
National Cancer Research Centre,Istituto Tumori G Paolo II,Bari,Italy.
Angelo
A
Paradiso
Department of Surgical Oncology and Gynaecological Oncology,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Patriciu
P
Achimas-Cadariu
WIN Consortium Villejuif,Paris,France.
Vladimir
V
Lazar
Research Centre for Functional Genomics,Biomedicine and Translational Medicine,Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy,Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
Ioana
I
Berindan-Neagoe
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068456:Clinical Studies as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020543:Proteome; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020543:Proteome; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D039961:Semaphorins