Publications

Abstract

Control of cell proliferation in the normal mammary gland is steroid hormone (estrogen and progestin)-dependent and ultimately converges on activation of three proto-oncogenes (c-Myc, cyclin D1 and cyclin E1) that are rate limiting for normal G1 to S phase cell cycle transition. Mammary epithelial cell-specific overexpression of these genes induces mammary carcinoma in mice. Furthermore, c-Myc, cyclins D1 and E1 are commonly overexpressed in primary breast cancer and are associated with a more aggressive disease phenotype. This may be due, in part, to overexpression of these genes conferring resistance to endocrine therapies. Thus, abnormal regulation of cell cycle molecules involved in the steroidal control of cell proliferation in the mammary gland, are likely to be directly involved in the development, progression and therapeutic responsiveness of breast cancer.