Abstract
It has been proposed that an aggressive secondary cancer stem cell population arises from a primary cancer stem cell population through acquisition of additional genetic mutations and drives cancer progression. Overexpression of Polycomb protein EZH2, essential in stem cell self-renewal, has been linked to breast cancer progression. However, critical mechanism linking increased EZH2 expression to BTIC (breast tumor initiating cell) regulation and cancer progression remains unclear. Here, we identify a mechanism in which EZH2 expression-mediated downregulation of DNA damage repair leads to accumulation of recurrent RAF1 gene amplification in BTICs, which activates p-ERK-β-catenin signaling to promote BTIC expansion. We further reveal that AZD6244, a clinical trial drug that inhibits RAF1-ERK signaling, could prevent breast cancer progression by eliminating BTICs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 86-100 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Cancer cell |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 18 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
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