Navigating Breast Cancer: Axon Guidance Molecules as Breast Cancer Tumor Suppressors and Oncogenes

Abstract

Slit, Netrin, Ephrin, and Semaphorin’s roles in development have expanded greatly in the past decade from their original characterization as axon guidance molecules (AGMs) to include roles as regulators of tissue morphogenesis and development in diverse organs. In the mammary gland, AGMs are important for maintaining normal cell proliferation and adhesion during development. The frequent dysregulation of AGM expression during tumorigenesis and tumor progression suggests that AGMs also play a crucial role as tumor suppressors and oncogenes in breast cancer. Moreover, these findings suggest that AGMs may be excellent targets for new breast cancer prognostic tests and more effective therapeutic strategies.

Altered microRNA expression profile in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Recent evidence suggests that these pathways are involved in tumor promotion or inhibition depending on cell and tissue context (Dong and Wu, 2010, Harburg and Hinck, 2011, Min et al, 2011. For example, JNK, a stress-activated MAPK represses p21 expression via c-Myc activation, leading to HCC development.…”

Riding the crest of the wave: parallels between the neural crest and cancer in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and migration

“…Loss of normal Eph/ephrin or neuropilin/semaphorin signaling results in ectopic migration of NC into other tissues and mixing of NC streams, ultimately preventing proper patterning of the embryo 83–85. There is evidence that guidance molecules including ephrin and semaphorin are misregulated in human cancers including lung and breast cancer, suggesting that these signals may have a role in tumor progression and metastasis; however, the complexity of these signaling interactions complicates our understanding of how these molecules function in a metastatic environment 86,87. Further understanding of the role of pathfinding in tumor cell invasion will likely yield a wealth of information on how tumor cells metastasize.…”

Genetic association of deleted in colorectal carcinoma variants with breast cancer risk: A case-control study

“…Approximately 5% to 10% of BCs are metastatic at diagnosis, and of these, approximately one-fifth of the affected patients will survive for 5 years [2]. A previous study estimated that the expression of axon guidance molecules (AGMs) was dysregulated during BC tumorigenesis and tumor progression, suggesting that AGMs might act as tumor suppressors and oncogene activators [3]. …”