Annexin II-Dependent Mechanism of Breast Cancer Progression

摘要

Angiogenesis and metastasis are two processes that are central to the progression of cancer. As such, they have become important targets for the development of anti-cancer agents. Invasive and metastatic cancers of the breast are distinguished by their propensity of newly formed blood vessels (neoangiogenesis). Neoangiogenesis is a significant independent prognostic indicator in early stage breast cancer (1). Delineating the molecular mechanism(s) of neoangiogenesis may provide new insights into the biology of breast cancer progression and metastasis and may provide novel prognostic and therapeutic tools. Recently, the plasminogen (PLG)/plasmin (PL) system was demonstrated to play an important role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. Experimental studies in animal models combined with extensive clinicopathological data provide a compelling case indicating that proteins of PLG/ PL pathways play a key role in breast cancer progression and metastasis(2). In this context, enzymes of the PLG/PL pathway have been reported to have prognostic value in breast cancer and are associated with poor prognosis both for overall and disease free survival(2). In fact these molecules have been associated with a high rate of relapse for patients with breast cancer Preliminary studies in animal model demonstrated that PLG gene deficient mice (PLG-/-) display inhibition of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and angiogenesis supporting the idea that PL is required for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis(3). Despite established role in tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis it is still unclear hows.