Nuclear factor-κB as a predictor of treatment response in breast cancer

Purpose of review: To examine the links of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to treatment-induced signaling in breast cancer and to propose further studies to elucidate the role of NF-κB in breast cancer response to chemotherapy and radiation. Recent findings: The authors' group and others have investigated the clinical relevance of ubiquitously expressed NF-κB in breast cancer. Possibly through its effects on apoptosis, NF-κB has been implicated in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation in many types of tumors. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that targeted inhibition of NF-κB can sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiation. Summary: The molecular mechanisms involved in chemotherapy-induced and radiation-induced cell death in breast cancer are not fully known, nor are the mechanisms of treatment resistance. NF-κB is a transcription factor for a number of genes involved in tumor progression and resistance to systemic therapies and is a major regulator of the apoptotic pathway. Gaining further insights into molecular factors such as NF-κB as biomarkers for treatment response may help clinicians predict treatment outcome and lead to the development of targeted therapeutics.