Project 419821

The mammary gland undergoes complex molecular and morphological changes during the pregnancy/lactation cycle. These developmental changes within the mammary gland allow the differentiation of mammary cells to properly synthesize and secret milk components into the mammary duct ready for breastfeeding. Breast cancer is a major disease affecting women worldwide. Breast cancer progression to a metastatic disease is still a clinical challenge as there are no treatments once metastasis has occurred. Indeed, our incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) that promote tumorigenesis of the breast underlies the lack of effective therapeutic options for patients stricken by this disease. Importantly, extensive research has shown that the lactation hormone prolactin is indispensable in mammary gland development and lactation. Interestingly, we have previously found that prolactin plays a direct role of in mammary morphogenesis and differentiation of the mammary cells. Moreover, we have also recently shown that prolactin receptor gene expression is associated with tumor differentiation status, that it is lost during tumor progression and in more aggressive disease. Whereas, high expression of prolactin pathway is associated with prolonged and better patient survival outcomes. We postulate here that deciphering the role of prolactin in breast cancer and its role in mammary morphogenesis and differentiation and will enhance our understanding breast cancer development and progression and will provide new avenues for therapy against breast cancer.