KIT Gene as an Angiogenesis Marker in Sporadic Breast Cancer: A Possible Target for Anti-cancer Therapy

Introduction: CD117 (KIT) is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase operating in cell signal transduction in several cell types. Normally KIT is activated (phosphorylated) by binding to its ligand, the stem cell factor. Phosphorylation cascade activation is followed by activation of various transcription factors that regulates apoptosis, cell differentiation,proliferation, and angiogenesis .Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, plays a key role in both local tumor growth and distant metastasis in breast cancer. By inhibiting Angiogenesis Genes such as KIT gene, the suppression of malignant tumors such as breast cancer could be possible. Material and Methods: In this study, we investigated association between copy number variation of KIT gene and increased risk of Sporadic Breast Cancer in 48 female patients, using MLPA kit p354. Result: In this study 14% and 18% of patients had deletion and duplication respectively in exon 1 of KIT gene. Discussion & Conclusions: CD117 (KIT) gene could be an important factor in cancer development, and in association with increased risk of developing sporadic breast cancer, as a result utilizing angiogenesis inhibitor drugs could suppress Sporadic Breast Cancer. Further studies with more detailed data are needed to verify these initial findings.

کلیدواژه ها:

KIT Gene ، Angiogenesis ، Breast Cancer ، Anti-cancer Therapy