Abstract
[Truncated] The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in 70-90% of breast tumours and its increased
expression in oestrogen receptor (ER) expressing breast cancers is correlated with better disease
prognosis and longer relapse-free and overall survival. The Hedgehog signalling pathway has also
been implicated in breast cancer growth, with Hedgehog signalling intermediates and
Hedgehog-induced target genes overexpressed in both early stage and aggressive breast tumours. The
androgen, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine, inhibit
proliferation of the MCF-7 and T- 47D breast cancer cell lines and this thesis has investigated
genes and cellular processes regulated by these agents that would potentially impede breast tumour
progression. In DHT and cyclopamine treated MCF-7 and T-47D cells, screening of gene expression
using RT2 Profiler Human Breast Cancer PCR Arrays identified decreased expression of
both the ABC transporters, ABCB1 and ABCG2, which facilitate the development of drug resistance in
cancer cells, and regulators of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a program associated
with induction of cancer cell motility, invasiveness and metastasis.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Publication status | Unpublished - 2015 |
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