Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Breast Centre Klinikum Lüdenscheid, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University Bonn, Luedenscheid, Paulmannshoeher Str, 14 - 58515 Luedenscheid Germany.
Targeting the oestrogen receptor, HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and vascular endothelial growth factor has markedly improved breast cancer therapy. New targeted therapeutic approaches to induction of apoptosis or inhibition of anti-apoptosis, cell cycle progression, signal transduction and angiogenesis are described. The molecular pathways and their inhibitory or repair mechanisms are discussed in the preclinical and clinical settings.