HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

The BH3-only protein Bad confers breast cancer taxane sensitivity through a nonapoptotic mechanism.

Abstract
Antimitotic agents such as taxanes (paclitaxel and docetaxel) have greatly advanced the treatment of breast cancer, although variable patient response and drug toxicity are major limitations. Lack of validated predictive markers for taxane responsiveness precludes a priori identification of patients who are most likely to respond to treatment; thus, a subset of patients endure toxic side effects with marginal benefit. Mechanistic insights into taxane therapeutic activity may lead to rational therapeutic improvements. In this paper we report that the proapoptotic BH3-only protein Bad has a major role in taxane-induced cell death in vitro, and clinically is a prognostic indicator for overall survival of breast cancer patients after adjuvant taxane chemotherapy. Unexpectedly, Bad did not induce the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery in response to taxane treatment. Instead, Bad indirectly facilitated cell death by stimulating cellular proliferation. As dividing cells are the targets of taxane therapy, Bad-stimulated proliferation may be a marker of taxane sensitivity. Our studies indicate that quantification of Bad protein levels may have value as a diagnostic tool. They also suggest that cells expressing Bad are more sensitive to taxanes because of their altered cell cycle dynamics and reveal a clinically relevant proliferative role of Bad in breast cancer.
AuthorsA C Craik, R A Veldhoen, M Czernick, T W Buckland, K Kyselytzia, S Ghosh, R Lai, S Damaraju, D A Underhill, J R Mackey, I S Goping
JournalOncogene (Oncogene) Vol. 29 Issue 39 Pg. 5381-91 (Sep 30 2010) ISSN: 1476-5594 [Electronic] England
PMID20603619 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • BAD protein, human
  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein
  • bcl-X Protein
  • Paclitaxel
Topics
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
  • Apoptosis
  • Breast Neoplasms (chemically induced, drug therapy)
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Paclitaxel (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein (metabolism)
  • bcl-X Protein (metabolism)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: