Amid all cancers known to afflict the Canadian population, breast cancer (BC) is documented as the second leading cause of cancer deaths among females. Current knowledge of the molecular signatures and biochemical pathways that govern BC initiation and progression is far from comprehensive and requires further expansion in order to identify putative biomarkers that undoubtedly predict the correct therapeutic course of action to take with each patient. Due to the heterogeneous nature of cell types which cooperate to form a functional post-natal mammary gland, the various clinical forms of BC that may arise are currently distinguished based on prognostic criteria such as histological phenotype, steroid and growth factor receptor status, and tumor ability to metastasize to neighbouring lymph nodes. In order to fully understand the various molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of mammary tumorigenesis, post-pubertal mammary gland development is often looked upon to highlight critical signaling pathways that possess the inherent capacity to mutate and/or become deregulated in BC. Once maturity is established, the adult virgin mammary organ retains the ability to cycle through four development stages: virgin, pregnancy, lactation, followed by involution and reversion to a virgin-like state. During early pregnancy-induced lobuloalveolar development, elevated expression of prolactin, placental lactogens, and progesterone results in escalated rates of luminal epithelial proliferation, and promotes functional differentiation of alveolar precursor cells into specialized structures proficient in milk release. Parturition-induced lactogenesis functions to nourish neonates through alveolar milk production and secretion of colostrums into enlarged luminal ducts. Neonate weaning initiates extensive luminal alveolar cell death (apoptosis) and epithelial remodelling during involution, a process lasting for several days to allow for reinstatement of the mammary gland to a virgin-like appearance.
USPTO Backgrounds
USPTO Backgrounds