Growth factors and oncogenes in breast cancer

The growth of normal breast epithelial cells is regulated by a complex interacting system of polypeptide factors and by steroid hormones. The cells respond to these factors through receptors which generate mitogenic and other intracellular signals. These second messengers provoke complex responses which may ultimately result in DNA replication and cell division. A comparison of normal cells and tumour cells, either in culture or from primary tumour biopsies, has revealed differences in growth factor and growth factor receptor expression. Such changes may represent aspects of the process of malignant transformation. In addition some evidence suggests that changes in second messenger systems may also occur. Finally several changes in nuclear oncogenes have been observed in breast cancers. It has been proposed that changes in the nuclear oncogenes, perhaps involving the loss of function of tumour suppressor genes, may allow cells to enter the cell cycle. Changes in growth factors, their receptors or intracellular second messenger systems may stimulate unregulated growth. The combination of these events provide a model for the process of carcinogenesis.