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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
06:36

A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion

Published on: April 24, 2015

The type I growth factor receptors in human breast cancer

T Rajkumar1, W J Gullick

  • 1ICRF Oncology Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Growth factor receptors (GFRs) like EGFR and c-erbB2 are common in breast cancer. Their overexpression may predict treatment response and offers targets for new therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The type 1 family of growth factor receptors (GFRs) comprises EGFR, c-erbB2, c-erbB3, and c-erbB4.
  • These receptors are expressed in breast cancer tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of type 1 GFRs in breast cancer.
  • To explore the potential of GFRs as therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of GFR expression in breast cancer samples.
  • Investigation of gene amplification and mRNA transcription for GFRs.

Main Results:

  • EGFR and c-erbB2 gene amplification occurs in a subset of breast cancers.
  • Overexpression of type 1 GFRs, potentially due to increased mRNA transcription, is observed.
  • GFR overexpression may correlate with prognosis and predict therapy response.

Conclusions:

  • Type 1 GFRs are frequently altered in breast cancer.
  • GFR overexpression has potential prognostic and predictive value.
  • GFR proteins are promising targets for novel chemotherapeutic agents.

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