Among women with breast cancer, approximately 25% have a subtype that is characterized by high levels of expression of the protein HER2. HER2-positive breast cancer tends to be more aggressive than other breast cancer subtypes. Increased molecular understanding of why HER2-positive breast cancer is so aggressive could aid in the development of new therapeutics. By studying mouse models, a team of researchers, led by Lewis Chodosh, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, has now identified a key role for the protein Hunk in the formation of tumors driven by overexpression of HER2. As the data also indicate that Hunk is required for HER2-induced tumor cells to maintain their cancerous characteristics, the team suggests that inhibiting Hunk might provide a new approach to treating HER2-positive breast cancer.
TITLE: Hunk is required for HER2/neu-induced mammary tumorigenesis
AUTHOR CONTACT:
Lewis A. Chodosh
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Phone: 215.898.1321; Fax: 215.573.6725; E-mail: chodosh@mail.med.upenn.edu .
View this article at: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/42928?key=0163b99f546167e70104
Journal of Clinical Investigation