GATA-3 as a marker of hormone response in breast cancer

GATA-3 is a transcription factor that orchestrates gene expression profiles during embryogenesis of a variety of human tissues, including hematopoietic cells, skin, kidney, mammary gland, and the central nervous system. Among several other roles, GATA-3 has recently been identified as a key player of luminal cell differentiation in the mammary gland. The majority of breast cancers arise from luminal epithelial cells and hence GATA-3 appears to control a set of genes involved in the differentiation and proliferation of breast cancer. The expression of GATA-3 has a strong association with the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER) in breast cancer, and there is mounting evidence that GATA-3 can be used as a clinical marker to determine response to hormonal therapy and to refine the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Here, we review the literature from the past 10 y on GATA-3 in normal and pathological states of the mammary gland. Conclusions from the literature are confirmed using meta-analyses performed by the Oncomine Research Platform.