Significance of ERalpha and c-Src Interaction in Progression of Hormone Independent Breast Cancer

摘要

The molecular basis for progression of breast cancer from hormone dependence to hormone independence remains one of the critical issues in this prevalent but poorly understood disease. The principle objective of this proposal is to test the hypothesis that elevated stimulation of the c-Src kinase signaling pathway plays a critical role in modulating estrogen receptor function. The first specific aim of this proposal will assess whether the ductal outgrowth is due to the intrinsic inability of the mammary epithelial cell to respond to estrogen stimulation. To test this hypothesis we plan to assess whether introduction of exogenous estrogens can induce the c-Src deficient mammary epithelial cells to activate the MAP kinase pathway.