PTHrP and breast cancer: more than hypercalcemia and bone metastases.

Abstract

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) causes hypercalcemia in cancer patients. PTHrP is required for normal breast development and has been shown to promote bone metastases from breast cancers. However, whether the protein also contributes to the formation of primary tumors has been unclear. Two recent papers suggest it may. First, a report in Nature Genetics identified the PTHrP locus as a new breast cancer susceptibility gene. Second, a paper in Journal of Clinical Investigation demonstrated that PTHrP promotes tumor growth and metastases in MMTV-PyMT mice. These studies implicate PTHrP in the development and growth of primary breast tumors and underscore the need for further research.

• Authors: Kata Boras-Granic, John J Wysolmerski
• Journal: Breast cancer research : BCR (Breast Cancer Res) Vol. 14 Issue 2 Pg. 307 (Apr 25 2012) ISSN: 1465-542X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22546075 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Comment)

Chemical References

• Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein

Topics

• Animals
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics)
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 (genetics)
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 (genetics)
• Female
• Genetic Loci (genetics)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease (genetics)
• Humans
• Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental (pathology)
• Neoplasm Metastasis (genetics)
• Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein (physiology)