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Therapeutic Potentials of BDNF/TrkB in Breast Cancer; Current Status and Perspectives

Amir Tajbakhsh1,2, Amin Mokhtari-Zaer2,3, Mehdi Rezaee2,4

  • 1Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|February 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) fuels breast cancer growth and spread. Targeting the BDNF/TrkB pathway offers potential therapeutic strategies and biomarkers for improved patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.
  • Aberrant BDNF/TrkB signaling impacts key pathways like Akt/PI3K, Jak/STAT, and Wnt/β-catenin.
  • MicroRNAs (e.g., miR-206, miR-200) modulate BDNF/TrkB activity, suggesting biomarker potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of BDNF/TrkB pathways in breast cancer pathogenesis.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting the BDNF/TrkB pathway.
  • To discuss the utility of microRNAs as prognostic and predictive biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on BDNF, TrkB, and breast cancer.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways modulated by BDNF/TrkB.
  • Examination of microRNA involvement and therapeutic targeting strategies.

Main Results:

  • High BDNF pathway gene expression correlates with poor clinical outcomes and reduced patient survival.
  • BDNF/TrkB signaling influences multiple oncogenic pathways, including VEGF and ER.
  • Targeting strategies include tyrosine kinase receptor (TKr) inhibitors and RNA interference.

Conclusions:

  • The BDNF/TrkB pathway is a critical driver of breast cancer progression.
  • Targeting this pathway presents a promising therapeutic avenue.
  • MicroRNAs associated with BDNF/TrkB signaling may serve as valuable biomarkers.
Keywords:
BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTORBREAST CANCEREPIGENETICSPHARMACOLOGICAL MODULATORSRISK FACTOR

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