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Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
Published on: September 30, 2016
Retrogenic expression of receptors for growth factors in neoplasia
Abstract:
Hormone-dependent tumors have a decreased requirement for growth stimulating hormones compared with the normal tissues from which the tumors originate. This property of hormone-dependent tumors is due to an inappropriate expression of hormone receptors in and by cancer cells making these cells highly sensitive to growth stimulating effects of hormones, and a variety of growth factors, compared with their normal counterparts. In the early stages of tumor development, the ectopic receptors for hormones are inappropriately expressed in cancer cells. The expression of multiple ectopic receptors for hormones and growth factors confers an apparent autonomy on cancer cells. In some instances, cancer cells have been found to exhibit hormonal sensitivity and hormone receptor content as do their normal counterparts at earlier developmental stages.
Insights
Hormone-dependent tumors exhibit altered hormone receptor expression, leading to increased sensitivity to growth factors. This inappropriate receptor expression in cancer cells contributes to tumor development and apparent autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hormone-dependent tumors show reduced reliance on growth hormones compared to normal tissues.
- Cancer cells display inappropriate expression of hormone receptors, increasing sensitivity to growth factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of aberrant hormone receptor expression in hormone-dependent tumor development.
- To understand how ectopic receptor expression contributes to cancer cell autonomy and sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hormone receptor expression patterns in tumor cells versus normal tissues.
- Comparative studies on the hormonal sensitivity of cancer cells and their normal counterparts.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells exhibit inappropriate expression of hormone receptors, differing from normal tissue.
- Ectopic expression of multiple hormone and growth factor receptors confers apparent autonomy to cancer cells.
- Some cancer cells mimic the hormonal sensitivity and receptor profile of earlier developmental stages.
Conclusions:
- Aberrant hormone receptor expression is a key factor in the development and behavior of hormone-dependent tumors.
- The findings highlight potential therapeutic targets related to hormone receptor signaling in cancer.
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