Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Hallmarks of triple negative breast cancer emerging at last?
1Division of Molecular Oncology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) are clinically heterogeneous but mostly aggressive malignancies devoid of expression of the estrogen, progesterone and HER2 (ERBB2 or NEU) receptors. Recent evidence shows that basal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is typically activated in TNBC and cooperates with hypoxia signaling to promote tumor progression and relapse; ERS and hypoxia response may therefore be among the long-searched hallmarks of TNBC.
Insights
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive and lacks key receptors. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and hypoxia signaling are identified as potential hallmarks driving TNBC progression and relapse.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous and aggressive malignancy.
- TNBC is characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.
- Emerging evidence links endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) to TNBC pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- To explore the interplay between ERS and hypoxia signaling in TNBC progression.
- To identify potential hallmarks of TNBC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of molecular markers associated with ERS in TNBC.
- Investigation of hypoxia signaling pathways in TNBC models.
- Correlation studies between ERS activation and tumor progression/relapse.
Main Results:
- Basal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is commonly activated in TNBC.
- ERS cooperates with hypoxia signaling to drive tumor progression.
- ERS and hypoxia response are implicated in TNBC relapse.
Conclusions:
- Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is a key feature of TNBC.
- The combination of ERS and hypoxia signaling contributes to TNBC aggressiveness.
- ERS and hypoxia response represent potential therapeutic targets and hallmarks for TNBC.
