THE PEA3 GROUP OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS I N BREAST-CANCER

Prognosis factors such as mutated or amplified oncogenes are used in t he treatment of breast cancer. We have recently shown that the members of the PEAS group (ER81, ERM and PEAS) from the transcription factor family of the ets genes are overexpressed in breast cancer tumors aris ing from MMTV-neu transgenic animals. Moreover, we have shown that ER8 1, and in a lesser extent ERM and PEA3, are not expressed in the estro gen and/or progesterone receptor-positive mammary cancer cell lines, w hereas they are expressed in the receptor negative ones. Our research interest is now focused on the role(s) of these oncogenes in the devel opment and the regulation of breast tumors.