Genes controlling spread of breast cancer to lung "gang of 4"

Exp Oncol. 2008 Jun;30(2):91-5.

Abstract

Cancer-related mortality is caused in a large part by the metastasis of primary tumor. Each cancer has a particular way of spreading cancerous cells. Recently, genetic and pharmacological analysis identified the set of genes, such as epidermal growth factor receptor ligand epiregulin (EREG), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (MMP-1 and MMP-2) that have been found to be associated with metastasis of breast cancer to lung. Inhibition of EGFR and COX2 could minimize lung metastasis of breast cancer in a clinical setting. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on EREG, COX2, MMP-1 and MMP-2 in tumor development and metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / biosynthesis*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics
  • Epiregulin
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Genetic
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis

Substances

  • EREG protein, human
  • Epiregulin
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1