Chromatin remodeling complexes: architects influencing breast cancer progression

As one of the most common types of cancer, breast cancer strongly contributes to the increase in morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alterations in the genetic and epigenetic landscape contribute to the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease, making its understanding and prognosis more challenging. Chromatin remodeling complexes are implicated as essential factors driving the progression and aggressiveness of breast cancer by permitting chromatin dynamics to promote or suppress transcription. Based on their structure and biochemical properties, chromatin remodeling complexes are divided into four subfamilies: SWI/SNF, ISWI, CHD and INO80. Due to their involvement in breast cancer progression, these complexes present potential therapeutic targets, either through direct or indirect approaches. Several promising efforts have been made to develop targeted therapies against chromatin remodeling complexes using specific ATPase inhibitors or proteasome-based degraders to control tumour growth. Further research is needed to elucidate the interplay between the remodeling complexes, their co-regulators, and interacting partners, in order to understand their mechanisms and develop their potential for therapeutic strategies, especially in breast cancer.