The Role of GLI-1 in Endocrine Resistant Breast Cancer

Abstract

Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor negative (ER-) are two major types of breast cancer. For women with ER+ positive breast cancer, patients are treated with the antiestrogenic compounds, tamoxifen or faslodex for five years, immediately after surgical resection of tumors. Unfortunately, 30-40% of these patients will develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Our recent study has shown that the Hedgehog (Hhg) signaling pathway plays a significant role in endocrine resistance and that the aberrantly activated transcription factor, GLI-1, is vital to the development of resistance. However, not much is known about the GLI-1 target genes that might contribute to endocrine resistance. Our goal is to determine novel target genes of GLI-1 and determine how these genes promote endocrine therapy resistance.PelotoniaA five-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biomedical Scienc