Riegel A T, Wellstein A
Vincent T. Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007.
Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1994;31(2-3):309-14. doi: 10.1007/BF00666163.
We propose that the secreted protein pleiotrophin (PTN) is a major factor in the malignant progression of breast cancer. This hypothesis is based on the growth-stimulatory effects of PTN on cells in vitro and in vivo and on its high levels of expression in 60% of tumor samples from breast cancer patients. The stimulation of proliferation and tube formation of endothelial cells by PTN suggests that it can serve as an angiogenesis factor during tumor growth. We hypothesize that PTN has the potential to support growth of breast cancer at its primary site and to enhance the ability of tumor cells to metastasize. Furthermore, we suggest that specific endocrine signals interact to regulate the expression of PTN in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we propose that understanding the functions of PTN and its hormonal regulation can lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
我们提出，分泌蛋白多效生长因子（PTN）是乳腺癌恶性进展的主要因素。这一假设基于PTN在体外和体内对细胞的生长刺激作用，以及其在60%乳腺癌患者肿瘤样本中的高表达水平。PTN对内皮细胞增殖和管腔形成的刺激表明，它在肿瘤生长过程中可作为一种血管生成因子。我们假设PTN有潜力支持乳腺癌原发部位的生长，并增强肿瘤细胞的转移能力。此外，我们认为特定的内分泌信号相互作用，在体外和体内调节PTN的表达。最后，我们提出，了解PTN的功能及其激素调节可导致开发新的乳腺癌治疗策略。
