Characterizing expression and function of the tumor suppressor gene RARRES1 in the differentiation hierarchy of breast cancer

The goal of my research is to improve breast cancer care in Canada. Some patients with breast cancer are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which means their tumors that do not express the estrogen and progesterone hormone receptors (ER and PR), or the Her2 protein. Many existing drugs for breast cancer (such as tamoxifen or Herceptin) target ER, PR, or Her2. The survival rate of TNBC patients is lower than those of other breast cancer patients as they cannot be effectively treated with these therapies. It is important to develop new treatments for TNBC tumors to help patients and their families. Identifying why some breast cancers respond well to an anti-cancer treatment, retinoic acid (RA) will allow doctors to identify patients who will benefit from this therapeutic option. This will lead to an improvement in breast cancer patient survival. We have shown that RA can be an effective treatment for some breast cancers. In these specific breast cancers, RA turns on one protein which inhibits the development of tumors. In other breast cancers, where RA actually promotes tumor growth, this protein cannot be turned on. We are investigating how this protein can be turned on or off in different breast cancer types. There are many gaps in our knowledge about the human genome - and there is very little known about how this protein works. We are identifying how this protein can suppress cancer progression so that doctors and scientists can use this new knowledge to improve detection and treatment of breast cancers.