Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
Cytokeratin expression in breast cancer: from mechanisms, progression, diagnosis, and prognosis to therapeutic
Ensiyeh Bahadoran1,2, Sahar Moghbelinejad1, Ghazaleh Mohammadi1
1Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Background And Aim:
Cytokeratins (CKs) are structural proteins vital to epithelial integrity and play key roles in breast cancer progression. This review explores their expression, functions, and therapeutic potential.
Methods:
A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We focused on in vivo, in vitro, and human studies - as well as review articles - published through 1982 that included keywords such as KRT5/13/16/17/18/19/23/80, Cytokeratin 5/13/16/17/18/19/23/80, Keratin 5/13/16/17/18/19/23/80, CK5/13/16/17/18/19/23/80, Cancer, Tumor, Breast cancer, Triple-negative breast cancer, and TNBC. Following title, abstract, and full-text screening of extracted studies, irrelevant articles and duplicates were excluded.
Results:
CK5 and CK17 are strongly associated with aggressive breast cancer subtypes, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), influencing tumor invasiveness and drug resistance. CK18 and CK19 play key roles in estrogen receptor signaling and epithelial stability. Newly identified CKs, CK23 and CK80, show strong correlations with metastasis and poor prognosis. CK-driven pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin and EMT pathways, contribute to tumor progression and therapy resistance.
Conclusion:
CKs are key biomarkers for breast cancer classification, prognosis, and therapy response. Their roles in tumor biology suggest potential for targeted treatment and personalized care to improve outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Cancer Survival Analysis
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...

