Metastasis suppressors in breast cancers: mechanistic insights and clinical potential

J Mol Med (Berl). 2014 Jan;92(1):13-30. doi: 10.1007/s00109-013-1109-y. Epub 2013 Dec 6.

Abstract

For the most part, normal epithelial cells do not disseminate to other parts of the body and proliferate, as do metastatic cells. Presumably, a class of molecules-termed metastasis suppressors-are involved in this homeostatic control. Metastasis suppressors are, by definition, cellular factors that, when re-expressed in metastatic cells, functionally inhibit metastasis without significantly inhibiting tumor growth. In this brief review, we catalog known metastasis suppressors, what is known about their mechanism(s) of action, and experimental and clinical associations to date.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins