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Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia
Published in: Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia 3/2019

01-09-2019 | Breast Cancer

Emerging Role of SOX Proteins in Breast Cancer Development and Maintenance

Authors: Gaurav A. Mehta, Pooja Khanna, Michael L. Gatza

Published in: Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia | Issue 3/2019

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Abstract

The SOX genes encode a family of more than 20 transcription factors that are critical regulators of embryogenesis and developmental processes and, when aberrantly expressed, have been shown to contribute to tumor development and progression in both an oncogenic and tumor suppressive role. Increasing evidence demonstrates that the SOX proteins play essential roles in multiple cellular processes that mediate or contribute to oncogenic transformation and tumor progression. In the context of breast cancer, SOX proteins function both as oncogenes and tumor suppressors and have been shown to be associated with tumor stage and grade and poor prognosis. Experimental evidence demonstrates that a subset of SOX proteins regulate critical aspects of breast cancer biology including cancer stemness and multiple signaling pathways leading to altered cell proliferation, survival, and tumor development; EMT, cell migration and metastasis; as well as other tumor associated characteristics. This review will summarize the role of SOX family members as important mediators of tumorigenesis in breast cancer, with an emphasis on the triple negative or basal-like subtype of breast cancer, as well as examine the therapeutic potential of these genes and their downstream targets.
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Metadata
Title
Emerging Role of SOX Proteins in Breast Cancer Development and Maintenance
Authors
Gaurav A. Mehta
Pooja Khanna
Michael L. Gatza
Publication date
01-09-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia / Issue 3/2019
Print ISSN: 1083-3021
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7039
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10911-019-09430-6

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