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Wow..long article. Here's a peek:
Conclusions
Studies of growth factor signaling pathways in breast cancer have produced a
wealth of information regarding the effects of these pathways on tumor formation and
progression. However, it is becoming more apparent that tumors are the result of a
complex interplay between intracellular signaling pathways and extracellular stimuli.
Although several growth factor receptors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR), ErbB2 and FGFR1, have been studied and implicated in breast cancer, we are
only beginning to understand how these growth factor pathways interact with other
autocrine or paracrine factors to promote tumorigenesis. Although inflammatory
cytokines have been implicated in breast cancer, it is clear that these cytokines alone are
not sufficient to cause tumor formation. In fact, it is well accepted that cancer does not
develop due to a single genetic alteration, but instead requires the contribution of multiple
factors, both within the cell and in the microenvironment. Understanding how these
24 various factors cooperate within epithelial and tumor cells to promote breast cancer initiation and formation will lead to the development of more effective combinatorial therapies designed to target multiple pathways within both the tumor cells and the supporting stromal cells.
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