Recent advances in breast cancer biology

Curr Opin Oncol. 1996 Nov;8(6):449-54. doi: 10.1097/00001622-199611000-00002.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States and is, in fact, the leading cause of death among women aged 30 to 70 years. In addition to being a major public health problem, this disease also provides an excellent model for understanding many aspects of cancer biology and genetics. As molecular and cellular mechanisms are elucidated, it is hoped that these advances can be translated into progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review we highlight some of the recent advances in breast cancer biology, with an emphasis on cancer genetics, mechanisms of invasion and metastasis, and drug resistance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / physiology
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics*
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / genetics
  • Cathepsins / physiology
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / physiology
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metalloendopeptidases / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Cathepsins
  • Metalloendopeptidases