Transforming Growth Factor-beta Receptors in Human Breast Cancer

摘要

This project addresses three fundamental research issues. The first question iswhether or not molecular lesions of the genes involved in the TGFB signaling pathway contribute to the origin and/or progression of breast cancer. We expect changes in these genes to be relatively late events, perhaps characteristic of metastatic cancer. Secondly, we propose to determine how molecular lesions in the TGFB receptor and/or Smad genes affect receptor function, and how they might play a role in the development and/or progression of breast cancer. Thirdly, we intend to examine the question whether genetic lesions in TGFB receptor and/or Smad genes are able to predict the outcome of patients with breast cancer. Because the anti-tumor effects of anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen are thought to be mediated