Transcription factor networks as targets for therapeutic intervention of cancer: the breast cancer paradigm

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

Michalis V Karamouzis1, Athanasios G Papavassiliou

  • 1Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.

Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.)
|September 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Many anticancer drugs target transcription factors, but complex gene regulation hinders drug design. New tools and network mapping, especially in breast cancer, are advancing this research area.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Anticancer drugs often modulate transcription factor activity.
  • Transcription factor-directed therapies are challenging due to complex transcriptional regulation.
  • Advances in molecular tools and network mapping are revitalizing this field.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of transcription factors in cancer therapy.
  • To highlight the challenges and opportunities in designing transcription factor-directed agents.
  • To use breast cancer as a model for discussing these concepts.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on anticancer drugs and transcription factors.
  • Discussion of systematic mapping of tumor-specific transcriptional networks.
  • Application of new molecular tools in transcriptional research.

Main Results:

  • Transcription factor modulation is a key mechanism for many anticancer drugs.
  • The complexity of transcriptional regulation remains a significant hurdle.
  • New research approaches are enhancing the study of transcription factors in cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting transcription factors holds promise for novel cancer therapies.
  • Overcoming regulatory complexities is crucial for developing effective agents.
  • Breast cancer research exemplifies the progress and potential in this area.

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